Help Desk FAQ: Required Employee Trainings - Where to Turn?
Just like other employers, Maine nonprofits are required to offer certain trainings to employees. This includes video display terminal training (computer ergonomics) (if 5+ employees) and sexual harassment prevention training (15+ employees).
If your organization doesn’t have the expertise to deliver these trainings in-house, here are some resources:
- Maine Department of Labor SafetyWorks! offers recorded training on safe Video Display Terminal (VDT) use. You can also request a training at your workplace, and they offer a VDT safety train-the-trainer (see their upcoming events) if you’d like to bring the content expertise in-house.
- The Maine Human Rights Commission has a list of sexual harassment prevention trainers.
- MaineCanDo has a tip sheet on finding sexual harassment prevention trainers.
- HR firms often have "ready-to-go" training modules on required topics.
- Check with your law firm - some offer these types of trainings to clients.
Note that every employer must also clearly post certain kinds of information. The following posters can be downloaded, and some payroll companies make them available as a service.
Don't Stop at the Minimum!
While not legally required, your organization may want to consider offering–or even requiring–training for some or all employees on additional topics. Offering professional development opportunities is an essential part of a talent retention plan, and a way to demonstrate to employees that you are invested in their growth. Participating in some trainings as a team can also help build a culture of ongoing learning and increase the ability of employees to apply what they’ve learned.
- Legal and equitable hiring (find courses through MANP’s partner MindEdge, check with your employment law firm, or find consultants in MANP’s Business Finder)
- Supervision and management (find courses through MANP’s partner MindEdge or find consultants in MANP’s Business Finder)
- Making your workplace more inclusive and equitable (find trainers on this webpage)
- Interacting with Wabanaki-Maine history (offered by Wabanaki REACH)
- Workplace safety (Maine DOL’s SafetyWorks! offers a variety of options)
- Etc! Be sure to check MANP’s own events calendar, which is updated regularly, for professional development opportunities for yourself and your staff.
Bonus points: start the conversation with your board early to make sure funds for professional development, beyond required trainings, are included in your next annual budget to support not only legal compliance, but talent attraction and retention.