Sexual Violence and Harassment Prevention Training for Janitorial Services Providers

For CA Supervisors & Non-Supervisory Employees

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Justice for Janitors – AB 1978 Sexual Violence and Harassment Prevention Training for Janitorial Services Providers

Beginning in 2016, California introduced Assembly Bill 1978. AB 1978, also called the Property Service Workers Protection Act was established to protect against harassment and sexual violence for custodial staff in the workplace. The commonly used name for the campaign to enact this law was “Justice for Janitors“. AB 1978, was created with the intent of addressing mainly mainly focusing on undocumented female janitors who were found to frequently be victims of sexual violence and harassment while working night shifts. The commonly used name for the campaign to enact this law was “Justice for Janitors”. These incidents were mostly never reported, as many feared reprisal as women and in some cases as undocumented workers.

Since being introduced, Property Service Workers Protection Act, has been amended by Assembly Bill 547, the Janitor Survivor Empowerment Act. AB 547 requires janitorial employers to provide in-person instructor-led training in preventing sexual violence and harassment at least once every two years.

The regulations establishing the training requirements are pursuant to Labor Code section 1429.5 and have been adopted by the Labor Commissioner’s Office, effective July 15, 2020.

The regulations establish the substantive training requirements which include interactive training and standards for content, frequency, duration, and documentation applicable to training of both supervisors and non-supervisors. Employers must follow these new training requirements which replaces the previous written material-only distribution to workers required under Labor Code section 1424.

Employers must provide the training to their employees as required by the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley for the Department of Industrial Relations and the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation. This training and it’s developed to help employers meet the regulation’s requirements for sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention training.

CA On-site Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Janitorial Services Employees

  • Content: Janitorial Sexual Harassment Prevention (CA compliant)
  • Version: Employee
  • Course Length: 2 Hours
  • Languages Available: English & Spanish
  • Price: Contact us for pricing
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Janitorial Service Industry On-site Training Topics (Non-Supervisory):

Worker Training Guide: Safe and Respectful Workplaces: Preventing Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct in the Janitorial Industry

Lesson plan topics include:

  • Introduction
  • Understanding Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct
  • Responding to Complaints of Sexual Harassment
  • Workplace Rights and Employer Responsibilities
  • Conclusion
  • Handouts
  • What Is Sexual Harassment?
  • Sexual Harassment at Work Is Illegal
  • Resources for Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault
  • Evaluation form
  • Video: Safe and Respectful Workplaces: Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Janitorial Industry

CA On-site Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Janitorial Services Supervisors

  • Content: Janitorial Sexual Harassment Prevention (CA compliant)
  • Version: Supervisor
  • Course Length: 2 Hours
  • Languages Available: English & Spanish
  • Price: Contact us for pricing
Contact Us

Janitorial Service Industry On-site Training Topics (Supervisor):

Worker Training Guide: Safe and Respectful Workplaces: Preventing Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct in the Janitorial Industry​

Lesson plan topics:

  • Introduction
  • Understanding Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct
  • Preventing Sexual Harassment and Abusive Conduct
  • Responding to Complaints of Sexual Harassment
  • Retaliation
  • Conclusion
  • Handouts
  • What Is Sexual Harassment?
  • Sexual Harassment at Work Is Illegal
  • Resources for Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault
  • Evaluation form
  • Video: Safe and Respectful Workplaces: Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Janitorial Industry

Resources for Addressing Sexual Harassment and Assault

California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH):

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN):

  • National Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE or 1-800-656-4673
  • Spanish Language
  • Go to rainn.org for a nationwide list of organizations

California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CalCASA):

  • Go to calcasa.org for a list of organizations in California

FAQ: AB 547 Janitorial Worker Harassment Prevention Training Requirements

At Compliance Training Group, we understand the complexities and evolving requirements under California’s AB 547 law. We provide this FAQ to help janitorial employers understand their responsibilities and avoid penalties while protecting their workers from harassment. As an approved provider of sexual harassment prevention training, we are committed to making compliance accessible, effective, and impactful.

AB 547, also known as the Janitor Survivor Empowerment Act, is a California law requiring in-person, peer-led sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention training for janitorial workers. It applies to both nonsupervisory and supervisory employees.

  • Bill text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB547

DIR: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Starting January 1, 2024, all janitorial employers must begin providing AB 547-compliant training. New registration applications must show compliance immediately. For renewals, enforcement begins January 1, 2025.

Enforcement FAQ: https://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE/Janitorial_Registration_FAQs.html

  • Nonsupervisory janitorial workers
  • Supervisors of nonsupervisory janitorial workers

Both must receive training every two years, with new hires trained within six months of hire or promotion.

Each group (nonsupervisory and supervisors) must receive at least two hours of training every two years. Training can be split into multiple sessions, but no session may be shorter than one hour.

All AB 547 training must use curriculum developed by the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP). These materials are available at:
 https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Janitorial-Training.html

No. AB 547 requires that training be conducted in person, even for remote or dispersed workforces. In rare cases where no peer trainer is available in a county, an alternate in-person trainer approved under Labor Code §1429.5 may be used with LOHP materials.

Exception reference: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Janitorial_Registration_FAQs.html (see FAQ 28)

Employers must maintain the following for at least three years:

  • Participant names
  • Dates of training
  • Sign-in sheets (start and end signatures)
  • Certificates of completion
  • Type of training
  • All training materials used
  • Name of training provider
  • Completed DLSE Form 800 (Employer Compliance Form) confirming payment to the QO
  • Employer recordkeeping guidance: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Janitorial.htm
  • Denial of registration or renewal
  • Suspension or revocation of existing registration
  • Civil penalties up to $10,000 for false certifications
  • Details: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Janitorial.htm

 

AB 547 compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential. With enforcement in effect and penalties for noncompliance increasing, employers must act now to protect their registration and workforce. Compliance Training Group offers AB 547-aligned, in-person training using LOHP-approved materials and certified peer trainers across California.


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