Washington: Added Harassment Protections in the Hospitality and Adult Film Industries

APPLIES TO

Employers of WA Employees in the Hospitality and Adult Film Industries

EFFECTIVE

As indicated

QUESTIONS?

Contact HR On-Call

(888) 378-2456

SB 5258 amends the Washington Law Against Discrimination to add the following requirements applicable to hotel, motel, retail, security guard entity, or property services contractor employers whose workers spend a majority of their working hours alone.

  • Adopt a sexual harassment policy;
  • Provide mandatory supervisor/manager training on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination;
  • Provide employees with a designated list of resources to combat sexual assault and harassment;
  • Provide a panic button to employees (excluding contracted security guard companies); and
  • Reporting requirements for property services contractors.

Hotel and motels with 60 or more rooms must meet these requirements by January 1, 2020. All other applicable employers must meet the requirements by January 1, 2021.

HB 1756 provides additional responsibilities for adult entertainment establishments under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). As a condition of receiving or renewing an adult entertainer license issued by a local government on or after July 1, 2020, an entertainer must provide proof that the entertainer took the Department of Labor and Industries’ training on sexual abuse and harassment.

Effective July 28, 2019, an adult entertainment establishment must provide a panic button in each room in which an entertainer may be alone with a customer, and in bathrooms and dressing rooms. Employers must document claims of violence, assault, and harassment by customers, and possibly bar the accused customer from returning to the establishment under certain circumstances.

Action Items

  1. Have employee handbooks updated with a sexual harassment policy.
  2. Implement required training.
  3. Install panic buttons as required.
  4. Implement harassment reporting and investigation procedures.
  5. Subscribers can call our HR On-Call Hotline at (888) 378-2456 for further assistance.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser.

© 2019 ManagEase

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