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?
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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.
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The anti-harassment provisions in the Equal Employment Opportunity regulations are applicable to all Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Apprenticeship sponsors must develop and implement procedures to ensure that apprentices are not harassed because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), sexual orientation, age (40 or older), genetic information, or disability and to ensure that their apprenticeship programs are free from intimidation and retaliation. These procedures must include a few specific steps, such as anti-harassment training and developing and implementing complaint procedures. These steps are described in this Frequently Asked Question.
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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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The sponsor can rely on anti-harassment training provided to instructors, journeyworkers who mentor apprentices, or apprentices by contractors or other providers if that training satisfies the requirements of the Office of Apprenticeship’s apprenticeship Equal Employment Opportunity regulation regarding anti-harassment training:
- The training is not a mere transmittal of information, but includes participation by trainees, such as attending an in-person training session or completing an interactive training online; and
- The content of the training communicates:
- That harassing conduct will not be tolerated in the apprenticeship program;
- The definition of harassment and the types of conduct that constitute unlawful harassment; and
- An explanation of the right to file a harassment complaint.