Statewide Training Mandate

Washington Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Washington's HB 1155 targets industries where isolated workers face elevated harassment risk — hotels, motels, retail, security, and property services. Covered employers must adopt sexual harassment policies and deliver mandatory training.

Washington Training Requirements at a Glance...

Statute: Washington HB 1155 — RCW 49.60.515
Effective: January 1, 2020
Who must train: Hotels, motels, retail, security, and property service contractors with isolated workers (hotels with 60+ rooms have additional duties)
Audience: Isolated workers, managers, and supervisors
Frequency: Annually (recommended for all covered industries)
New-hire deadline: As soon as practical after hire
Duration: Typically 30–60 minutes plus role-based content
Recordkeeping: Maintain training records and policy distribution acknowledgements for the duration of employment plus 3 years.
Enforcement: Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Washington State Human Rights Commission.

What Washington Training Must Cover

Written sexual harassment policy
Training on identifying and preventing harassment and assault
Panic buttons for certain hotel workers
List of resources for victims
Industry-specific scenarios for hospitality, retail, and security

Relevant WILL Training Topics

Harassment PreventionWorkplace Safety

Washington Sexual Harassment Training FAQs

Who is covered by Washington HB 1155?

Hospitality (hotels and motels), retail, security, and property service contractors — particularly any role where a worker is alone with a guest, customer, or member of the public.

Do general Washington employers need to train?

Outside HB 1155, Washington doesn't impose a universal training mandate, but the Human Rights Commission and best practice strongly recommend annual training to limit employer liability.

What's the panic button requirement?

Hotels with 60+ rooms must provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in guest rooms, plus training on how to use them.

Other State Training Mandates

California New York Illinois Connecticut Delaware Maine

Ready to put this into practice?

Download the 2026 catalog for a full course-by-course view, or talk with a compliance specialist about your state-specific requirements.

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