Mandated Employee Training Revealed: Which Employee Training Is Required by Law?

Instead of a generic look into what compliance training is and why it's important for your organization, let's answer some questions that people really want to know - what are the best training courses to assign to your Learners when looking to legally "cover your bases" and which employee training is most likely to be mandated, based on federal, industry, and state requirements?

Read on to find out!

Overview of Federal Training Requirements

Whenever the topic of mandated training comes up, it's a hard one to answer. According to SHRM, "while no federal training regulation applies to all employers, certain laws and agency regulations may apply to specific industries or employers." However, there are specific programs that must be taught depending on the industry, role, or state.

Navigating the labyrinth of federal training mandates can be daunting, but it's essential for ensuring your organization remains compliant and avoids costly legal pitfalls. Understanding these requirements isn't just about ticking boxes—it's about creating a safe, respectful, and informed workplace. Here, we'll delve into some of the federal training mandates that apply across various sectors and why they matter to your organization.

 

Universal Training Mandates

Workplace Safety (OSHA Requirements)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employees are trained on workplace safety protocols. This training is crucial not only for compliance but for ensuring the well-being of your team. OSHA training includes everything from emergency response actions and handling hazardous materials to ergonomic practices and preventing workplace injuries.

Here are some of OSHA’s safety training requirements for employees:

• Hazard communication.
• First aid training.
• Emergency action plan training.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE).

The goal is simple: to create a safer workplace where employees are well-prepared to handle both everyday tasks and unexpected situations.

Harassment Prevention

In today's workplace, understanding and preventing harassment is more critical than ever. Federal law requires that organizations conduct harassment prevention training to foster a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. This training typically covers what constitutes harassment, how to report it, and the legal implications of harassment. According to ADP, several states and a few local jurisdictions require employers to provide sexual harassment training, including:

In some states, sexual harassment training may be recommended or encouraged by case law or by state or local agencies. But even if you aren't required or encouraged to provide sexual harassment training, it is a best practice to do so.

Industry-Specific Training Requirements

Each industry faces unique challenges and risks, necessitating tailored training programs to meet specific legal and ethical standards. Below, we explore the mandatory training requirements for three critical sectors: healthcare, finance, and technology.

Healthcare: Focused on Privacy and Safety

HIPAA Compliance: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Any organization that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed. HIPAA training must be given to all employees who might come into contact with patient information, and this training needs to be updated regularly to reflect any changes in the law.

Bloodborne Pathogen Training: OSHA mandates bloodborne pathogen training for healthcare workers to ensure they know how to handle and dispose of items that could be contaminated with blood or other infectious materials. This training helps prevent serious health risks associated with exposure to diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Finance: Ensuring Compliance and Transparency

Anti-Money Laundering (AML): Financial institutions are required to conduct AML training under various international laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act in the United States. This training helps employees identify and take appropriate action on activities that might involve money laundering or terrorist financing. AML training is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the financial system and for complying with legal standards.

Compliance Training: Finance professionals must also be versed in a broad spectrum of compliance topics, ranging from fraud prevention to ethical banking practices and the handling of private client data. Regular compliance training ensures that financial institutions operate transparently and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.

Technology: Guarding Data and Privacy

Data Protection and Privacy Training: With the increasing prevalence of data breaches and cyber-attacks, technology companies are required to provide comprehensive data protection training to their employees. This training typically covers topics such as secure coding practices, understanding cybersecurity threats, and learning how to manage and protect personal and sensitive data effectively. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. mandate that employees are trained on these protections to avoid substantial fines.

State-Specific Training Laws

While federal mandates set the baseline for employee training requirements, many states have introduced their own laws that significantly expand on these basics, often with a focus on addressing specific local issues. Here, we delve into some notable examples of state-specific training laws and discuss how they vary, emphasizing the importance for businesses to stay informed and compliant based on their operational locations.

California: A Leader in Mandatory Training

Sexual Harassment Training: California is known for its stringent requirements regarding workplace harassment training. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, employers with five or more employees must provide sexual harassment training to all employees—both supervisory and non-supervisory—every two years. This training must be interactive and include practical examples, with specific components tailored to prevent harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Safety Training (Cal/OSHA): California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) requires employers to implement a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and provide training on this program to their employees. This training must cover everything from emergency response to everyday safety measures specific to the job.

New York: Comprehensive Discrimination and Harassment Laws

Discrimination and Harassment Prevention: New York State requires all employers to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training. This training must include information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment and remedies available to victims, as well as interactive questions designed to ensure understanding.

Illinois: Focus on Human Rights

Human Rights Training: Illinois mandates that all employers provide annual training on the prevention of sexual harassment, as detailed in the Illinois Human Rights Act. The training must cover unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace, provide examples of prohibited conduct, and summarize the legal remedies available to victims of sexual harassment.

The requirements for employee training can vary significantly not just in content, but also in the rigor of the mandates. For instance, while states like California and New York require comprehensive harassment training for all employees, other states may only require such training for managers or those in supervisory roles. Similarly, states may differ in their requirements for safety training, with some requiring specific training for industries like construction or manufacturing, and others having more generalized requirements.

For businesses operating in multiple states, compliance with state-specific training laws can be particularly challenging. It requires not only an understanding of the differences between these laws but also a strategy for effectively implementing training that meets all applicable requirements. Utilizing a versatile Learning Management System (LMS) like Knowledge Anywhere can significantly ease this burden. Our LMS allows for the customization and delivery of training modules tailored to meet specific state laws and includes tracking features to ensure that all employees receive the required training on schedule.

Understanding and complying with state-specific training laws is crucial for maintaining a lawful workplace and protecting your organization against potential fines and lawsuits. With the right tools and strategies, you can ensure that your training programs are effective, compliant, and tailored to the diverse needs of your workforce.

Looking To Implement Compliance Training?

Implementing, managing, and tracking a training programs can seem daunting, but with a reliable partner like Knowledge Anywhere, it doesn't have to be. Our Learning Management System (LMS) helps you deploy, manage, and track compliance training efficiently, while our Course Library of over 50,000 professionally made off-the-shelf courses ensures your organization not only meets its legal obligations but also protects its employees and customers from potential harm. By leveraging our LMS, you can ensure that your training programs are up-to-date, comprehensive, and effective, giving your employees the tools they need to succeed in a compliant and ethical workplace.

Book a demo with one of our knowledgable training consultants or try our LMS risk-free today!