California employers with five or more employees must provide qualifying training to their California employees every two years:

  • Nonsupervisory employees: At least one hour.
  • Supervisors and managers: At least two hours.

New nonsupervisory employees must complete training within six months of hire. New supervisors—including employees promoted into supervisory positions—must complete supervisory training within six months of assuming that role. Employers may require more frequent training, but annual training is not California’s general statutory baseline. (California Government Code § 12950.1(a), (e))

Special timing rules apply:

  • Short-term employees: Seasonal, temporary, and other employees hired to work for less than six months generally must complete training within 30 calendar days after hire or 100 hours worked, whichever occurs first. For workers supplied by a qualifying temporary-services employer, that employer provides the training. (§ 12950.1(f))
  • Very short assignments: CRD explains that training is not required under this rule when employment lasts fewer than 30 calendar days and fewer than 100 hours.
  • Previously trained employees: Qualifying training completed within the preceding two years may satisfy the requirement. The employer must verify compliance, obtain acknowledgment of its anti-harassment policy within six months of the employee assuming the new position, and track retraining based on the prior training date. A nonsupervisory course does not satisfy the two-hour supervisory requirement. (CRD, Information for Employers)

Employees outside California count toward the five-employee threshold, although this California requirement generally applies to California-based employees. (CRD, Information for Employers)