Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and members of other protected groups continue to have very low participation rates in many apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeship Equal Employment Opportunity regulations are intended, in part, to support sponsors in expanding the diversity of their apprenticeship workforces. Protection from harassment promotes a workplace environment in which all apprentices feel safe, welcomed, and treated fairly. This, in turn, benefits apprenticeship sponsors by increasing retention of valued apprentices and enhancing recruitment success with other qualified individuals from underrepresented groups. As apprenticeship programs strive to achieve greater diversity, it is important to prevent individuals from experiencing harassing situations when they are simply trying to do their jobs.
Why is workplace harassment part of the regulations?
You may also find helpful
-
A participant in an apprenticeship program may not be intimidated, threatened, coerced, retaliated against, or discriminated against because the individual has:
- Filed a complaint alleging an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) violation (including harassment).
- Opposed a practice that is prohibited by Federal or State EEO law or regulation.
- Assisted, provided information for, or participated in an investigation, compliance review, proceeding, or hearing related to EEO.
Otherwise exercised any rights or privileges under these provisions.
Visit the Prevent Harassment page for more information.
Read More -
The training must be more than a mere transmittal of information. It must include participation by trainees, such as attending an in-person training session or completing an interactive training online. Sponsors that already provide anti-harassment training may modify their existing training to include the provisions specified in the apprenticeship Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations. Ready-to-use anti-harassment training materials are available on the Prevent Harassment Apprenticeship EEO webpage.
Read More -
Yes. Anti-harassment training materials are available for apprenticeship sponsors on the Prevent Harassment Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) webpage. These materials include:
- A short, introductory animated video with associated knowledge checks, which sponsors can download to use as part of their anti-harassment training
- A sample PowerPoint presentation that includes scenarios that can be customized for each sponsor’s program, as well as discussion questions to engage participants and managers and illustrate key learning points
In keeping with the apprenticeship EEO regulations, these resources should be used in a training setting that allows trainees to participate actively.
Read More -
Yes. The regulations require Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsors to maintain programs free from harassment, intimidation, and retaliation based on an apprentice’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. It is a best practice for programs to promote positive workplace environments for apprentices that are altogether free from harassment.
Read More