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.
Are specific groups protected by the anti-harassment provisions in the regulations?
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Sponsors should offer anti-harassment training, periodically and as necessary, to ensure that all new apprentices, journeyworkers who mentor apprentices, or other personnel connected with the administration or operation of the apprenticeship program receive training. In addition, existing apprentices, journeyworkers who mentor apprentices, and other personnel should be periodically reminded of anti-harassment policies via training or other refresher materials. Anti-harassment training may be provided during the required orientation and periodic information sessions that sponsors must conduct for individuals connected with administration or operation of the apprenticeship program.
We expect that in the course of their normal business practices, some sponsors provide anti-harassment training that covers some or all of what the Office of Apprenticeship regulations require. Sponsors may simply modify existing training modules to include the regulations’ training obligation in order to limit time and expense.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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