Every business in Kansas with four or more employees is beholden to state workplace discrimination laws. All companies with more than 15 workers must also adhere to federal standards outlined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Federal sexual harassment prohibitions
All companies with 15 or more workers must follow standards and rules laid out in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In terms of sexual harassment, the statute dictates that employers cannot allow or accommodate environments where:
- Individuals are hired or fired based on their gender or sexual orientation
- Workers feel pressured into quid-pro-quo acts
- Employees must endure sexual harassment from other workers, vendors, customers, or clients
- People are reassigned or demoted because of their gender or sexual orientation
- Retaliation against employees who report discrimination is tolerated
- Universal workplace policies that negatively affect certain genders are implemented
Kansas’s sexual harassment law
Kansas’s employment law statutes, outlined in the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, apply to every company with four or more employees. The regulations took effect in 2015 and prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender. It also outlaws workplace sexual harassment.
Unlike other states, Kansas does not require companies to hold sexual harassment training. However, it’s highly recommended because businesses are responsible for following rules to the letter of the law. And if an employee behaves inappropriately, the company may be forced to pay the price. By opting out of training, businesses leave themselves open to sexual harassment incidents that could result in costly lawsuits.
If you feel you’ve been unlawfully harassed in the workplace because of your gender, sex, or sexual orientation, it may be wise to consult with an employment discrimination lawyer. Legal counsel could assess your situation and help determine the best course of action.