ARTICLE
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier are pleased to provide a new resource that offers New York State compliant workplace harassment guidance and tools, and much more. By providing an online platform, the Chamber and MAST can offer a round-the-clock human resources package that provides compliance recommendations, tools and video solutions for real world employee situations. New York State required that all workplaces, no matter their size, implement a policy around sexual harassment by October of 2018. That policy must be shared with every employee. In addition, by October of 2019, every employee must participate each year in an interactive exercise that demonstrates what comprises sexual harassment and how to prevent it and report it. The state Department of Labor has recommended that this exercise become part of the hiring and on-boarding process for every employee. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue and businesses need to move pro-actively to address it. With this new service we will help businesses comply with New York State requirements and help foster improved awareness and prevention of harassment in the workplace. In addition to creating a safe work culture it is important for businesses to take steps to protect their own interests. This is a quick and easy way for businesses to work through the platform and is a true value-added product for our member businesses. Access to the online compliance system is an added benefit for all members of the Chamber and MAST. There is no additional cost beyond the annual membership investment to access the HR compliance tools and sexual harassment compliance video. For more information about the program, contact the Chamber or MAST at 484-1101 or 366-6200, or visit the member benefits section of our website at www.chautauquachamber.org.