Washington Senate Will Require Annual Sexual Harassment Training
Listen
Beginning next year, Washington state Senators and Senate staff will be required to take annual sexual harassment training. The Senate’s operations committee unanimously approved that requirement at a meeting Tuesday night.
Republican state Senator Joe Fain told his colleagues there needs to be immediate action to address the workplace climate at the Capitol.
“The difference in our environment is that there is such a large discrepancy in power between the individuals who could be exerting that power and the individuals on the receiving end,” Fain said. And so it’s not necessarily enough to have a nice policy on paper to say ‘Hey, look, we have this thing,’ when there is fear about accessing that process in the first place.”
In the coming weeks, the Senate will also look at ways to make people feel more comfortable reporting misconduct.
The moves follow reporting by the Northwest News Network, The News Tribune and The Olympian on the workplace climate at the Capitol. More than 200 women have signed a “Stand With Us” letter that calls on legislative leaders to create a safe workplace free from harassment.
Related Stories:
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45
The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15 later this year, under a bill headed for Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk.
This 86-year-old has officiated 8,000+ games — and counting
Referees and umps don’t often get the spotlight. But the city of Walla Walla has declared today “Vic Walker Day” in honor of one of Washington’s longest tenured school sports officials. He’s helped bring sports to the community for almost six decades.
Pasco couple fondly remembers blessing from Pope Francis
Alexia Estrada and Alberto “Beto” Anguiano, newlyweds from Pasco, Washington, were blessed by Pope Francis last November. (Courtesy: Alexia Estrada and Alberto “Beto” Anguiano) Listen (Runtime: 3:55) Read Here’s a
