Committee approves expanded harassment‑prevention training, reporting requirements for city employees

The Rules Committee voted to forward an ordinance that would require city employees to complete harassment prevention training annually and expand public reporting on complaints and settlements.

Legislative aide Alia Chisti, presenting the item for President Cohen’s office, said the measure expands training coverage to permanent employees working at least 20 hours per week or 960 hours per fiscal year, incorporates bystander intervention into training, and sets a phased schedule for departmental reporting beginning in 2019. DHR Deputy Director Linda Simon said the ordinance responds to the MeToo movement and is intended to increase awareness and access to remedies for employees.

The ordinance also requires the City Attorney to report harassment settlements annually to the Department on the Status of Women, and that department will publish quarterly and annual summaries. The Civil Service Commission would be asked to adopt a rule extending the time to file certain complaints from six months to one year.

Supporters from the Commission on the Status of Women and public‑health and academic witnesses described the human and financial costs of harassment and urged the city to act. Committee members asked for and accepted clarifying amendments about start dates for reporting to ensure a workable schedule for departments. The committee forwarded the item with a positive recommendation.