In response to AB 1825, we are now scheduling seminars on sexual harassment prevention. AB 1825 adds Government Code Section 12950.1, which requires that by January 1, 2006 an employer with 50 or more employees must provide at least two hours of “classroom or other interactive sexual harassment training and education” for all its supervisory employees. After January 1, 2006, each covered employer must provide this sexual harassment training and education to its supervisory employees every two years.

The training and education must include:

1. Information and practical guidance regarding federal and state statutory provisions on: a) the prohibition against sexual harassment; b) the prevention and correction of sexual harassment; and c) the remedies available to victims of sexual harassment in employment.
2. Practical examples aimed at instructing supervisors in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation prevention; and
3. Presentations by trainers and educators with knowledge and expertise in these areas.

Ric C. Ottaiano of the firm’s Orange County Office has extensive experience in sexual harassment prevention training, as well as in investigating and responding to sexual harassment complaints. The training provided will be individualized to address your specific policies and regulations regarding sexual harassment. If you are interested in training or if you have questions, please contact Ric C. Ottaiano by emailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - or you may contact him at our Orange County office at 714-937-1010.

Testimonials

Clients who have received the AB 1825 training provided by Mr. Ottaiano have expressed their admiration for the seminar and the manner in which it was presented. Some of the testimonials are as follows:

From South Orange County Community College District:
“On behalf of the South Orange County Community College District, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the excellent sexual harassment prevention training sessions you have conducted both at both Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. The planning, production and execution of the training by you was nothing short of excellent.

Not surprisingly, the response to your training has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastically received. Your presentation and interactive components open participants’ eyes and create a roadmap for both their understanding and ability to navigate this complicated subject matter. You are enlightening, inspirational, upbeat and engaging in your delivery. You have the uncanny ability to mix wisdom, sincerity and wit to add energy and punch to your presentation. You field participant questions exceptionally well by really listening, asking clarifying questions where needed, repeating questions for all the participants and providing specific answers. [Y]ou are such a genuine and likable speaker that the participants really respond well to an otherwise prickly topic. Your insights on the legal aspects as well as the social aspects of harassment prevention are remarkable for their simplicity. With enthusiasm, you make legalese understandable and your insights and motivational approach are right on target. During your training, each participant experiences growth through your thought provoking questions and frank discussions.

Once again, thank you for your professionalism, in-depth knowledge, dedication, and expertise. We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with you to deliver this training to our faculty, staff, managers and administrators. We look forward to additional opportunities to work together in the near future.”

From Tri-Cities Regional Occupational Program:
“Thank you for presenting the Sexual Harassment in the Workplace workshop on August 22. The comments and evaluations from our staff clearly indicated they not only enjoyed your presentation, but have grown to understand the serious nature of the topic. Your ability to intersperse humor and give riveting examples were powerful tools, as we each thought about our own behaviors and the lines of sensitivity in the workplace. Clearly, sobering points to your presentation were the examples of monetary judgments and personal liability. This got everyone’s attention. I imagine that there was a silent tabulation from many people in the room as to their near-misses on becoming a future example of what not to do!

I appreciate your taking the time from your busy schedule to better help us understand the complexities of this topic. It is something we will continue to revisit at future staff in-services.”

From Whittier Union High School District:
“I am pleased to recommend the Law Firm of Lynberg and Watkins, and specifically, Ric C. Ottaiano, as a provider of State of California Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training as required by AB 1825 (2007).

Mr. Ottaiano has presented on this topic to the management and confidential employees of the Whittier Union High School District on two different occasions since 2007. His presentations have been comprehensive and specific to school and district applications which have been particularly beneficial to workshop participants. Because Mr. Ottaiano has extensive experience in school district related litigation, he can apply the workshops’ required training topics to situations with which he has had first-hand experience. He also provides a comprehensive training manual which supports his presentation and is an excellent reference. Throughout the presentation, video clips were used to illustrate aspects of the topic and introduce concepts. The clips helped in maintaining interest of participants throughout the two-hour presentation. This mandated training provided a solid foundation of understanding for our staff on the topic of sexual harassment. It not only satisfied the requirement of AB 1825, it has served to raise the level of professionalism of our administrators and promote equality and acceptance.

I heartily endorse the Sexual Harassment Training Program provided by Ric Ottaiano and will continue to use him for future presentations on this topic.”