Some Questions About Sexual Harassment Training

Sexual harassment training has been common for private employers for many years now.

Managers and staff at most companies are required to attend sessions about it or complete online training about it, often annually. Required training about sexual harassment in the workplace and hostile work environments began more than 30 years ago.

So what the formal report says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did raises questions about whether some of this sexual harassment training is effective or if those who need it most are either not getting or maybe just don’t care about it.

In most, if not all, private companies, after an investigation like this from the firm’s human resources team, the person would almost certainly lose their jobs or at least face severe discipline and in these cases, can often face lawsuits or even criminal charges.

So with the findings of the investigation, it leads to questions like what was he thinking? Did the governor of New York really not know the things he did were wrong?

The governor has said in a statement that he never touched anyone inappropriately but said some of his remarks “"may have been insensitive or too personal." The statement said he was "truly sorry" to those who might have "misinterpreted them as an unwanted flirtation." The defense of the New York governor also has included references to generational or cultural differences.

Beyond whatever happens to him now, it is hoped that this episode will get the attention of others out there like him.

(Photo Getty Images)