Bystander Intervention in Chicago
Length
1 Hour
Course Type
Meets Chicago Municipal Code
§ 6-10-040; Mobile Friendly
Audience
All Employees
Empower Your
Workforce
Chicago Bystander Intervention Training: Building Safer, Healthier Workplaces
Creating workplaces where people feel safe, respected, and empowered requires more than checking boxes—it demands genuine commitment. At SHIFT HR Compliance Training, we believe compliance is just the starting point. Training should not only meet legal requirements but also inspire positive culture change that strengthens organizations from within.
Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040 requires employers to provide Bystander Intervention training. SHIFT’s course meets every requirement and goes beyond by equipping employees with practical tools to act with confidence. Participants learn how to recognize, respond to, and report inappropriate behavior, gaining the skills needed to intervene when it matters most. By empowering employees to speak up, organizations foster a workplace culture that actively prevents harassment, discrimination, and bullying to create a safer, healthier environment for all.
For answers to common questions about Chicago’s Bystander Intervention training requirements, visit our FAQ in Chicago section.
SHIFT HR Compliance Training’s legal experts confirm that this course complies with current applicable law, including global, federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws and any state or local mandatory training requirements. The course has also been reviewed for compliance with the government’s relevant Executive Orders.
Course content will continue to be reviewed and will be updated if necessary to ensure all materials accurately reflect current applicable law.
Under Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040, all employers are required to provide annual Bystander Intervention training to employees. The training must be at least 1 hour for all employees. This course is designed to meet these requirements while equipping employees with practical skills to prevent and respond to workplace harassment.
For answers to common questions about Chicago’s Bystander Intervention training requirements, visit our FAQ section
Bystander intervention is more than noticing a problem—it’s the decision to step in, speak up, or support a colleague when they experience or witness harm. It transforms passive bystanders into upstanders who take action, and allies who reinforce a culture of respect and inclusion.
SHIFT HR Compliance Training’s Bystander Intervention course equips Chicago employees and supervisors with the tools they need to foster a safe and inclusive environment. Through interactive, real-world scenarios and current workplace issues, learners gain practical strategies to recognize, prevent, respond to, and report inappropriate behavior—empowering them to be part of the solution.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define sexual harassment under the Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040 and identify its different forms.
- Distinguish between a bystander and an upstander and practice ways to take meaningful action as an Upstander.
- Use practical tools and steps to assess situations, intervene safely, and stand up against harassment.
- Strengthen allyship skills by applying strategies that foster respect, support colleagues, and drive positive business outcomes.
- Explore allyship in the workplace, such as key strategies and benefits of being an ally, and the positive business results associated.
- Apply intervention techniques to real-world scenarios to build confidence and practice fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, allyship, and accountability.
- Understand where to find information about how to report and/or file a claim for sexual harassment and obtain additional information from the Chicago Commission on Human Rights.
Together, our Bystander Intervention course and Preventing Workplace Harassment & Discrimination courses provide a complete solution, helping organizations meet legal mandates while building respectful workplace cultures.
- For Chicago: Both courses are required as separate trainings to meet city mandates
- In other jurisdictions, Bystander Intervention and Preventing Workplace Harassment & Discrimination work hand-in-hand as a best practice solution
Our Preventing Workplace Harassment and Discrimination program offers a streamlined course design that allows learners across the U.S. to take one course and self-select the location(s) they work and manage in, while also helping administrators easily track completions.
The intuitive design allows the course to dynamically adjust to mandated time requirements.
Download our US State Mandate Guide.
Global versions of the course are available, along with versions tailored to meet compliance requirements in Canada, UK, Australia, and India.
The High Price of Nonintervention
SHIFT HR Compliance Training can help you protect your employees, your customers, and your bottom line
paid annually by employers in EEOC settlements
lost over five years due to turnover caused by toxic workplace cultures
of employees are affected by workplace harassment or misconduct
Course Details
| Format | Self-paced eLearning with interactive scenarios and reflection points Compliant with Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040 |
| Duration | 1 Hour |
| Languages | English and Spanish (others available upon request) |
| Certification | Instant certificate download |
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, screen-reader compatible, closed captions included |
| Flexible Delivery Options | SCORM-ready training, hosted by SHIFT or on your LMS |
| Customization | Turnkey branding options |
| White Glove Implementation | Dedicated Project Manager
|
SHIFT Your Expectations of Compliance Training
Stop settling for boring training that’s in one ear and out the other – discover innovative training solutions that drive lasting behavior change and business growth.
Why SHIFT HR Compliance Training
Minimize your risk exposure with training built by top-rate employment law attorneys with deep expertise in state, federal, and global mandates.
Boost course completion and knowledge retention with engaging and interactive training designed by subject matter experts.
Achieve lasting change with empathy-based training that shifts mindsets and behavior, with additional learning resources for reinforcement.
Stay protected against emerging risks with courses that evolve alongside shifting workplace challenges, new regulations, and timely issues.
The industry's most advanced customization makes it easy to tailor content to your brand, your people, and your policy, driving greater employee buy-in and organizational impact.
Save valuable time and resources with our dedicated support team, ensuring a smooth and seamless implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to consider when choosing the right Bystander Intervention training in Chicago
Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040 was amended in April 2022 to expand required sexual harassment prevention training for all employers in the city.
Starting July 1, 2022, Chicago employers must provide every employee with:
- One hour of sexual harassment prevention training annually.
- One hour of bystander intervention training annually.
- Two hours of sexual harassment prevention training annually for supervisors and managers.
The bystander intervention training requirement is in addition to Illinois’s statewide sexual harassment prevention training requirement under the Illinois Human Rights Act—it’s unique to Chicago and is codified in Municipal Code of Chicago § 6-10-040(b)(2).
This training covers the definition of sexual harassment under Chicago Municipal Code § 6-10-040, examples and types of sexual harassment, the difference between being a Bystander versus an Upstander, strategies and benefits of being an Upstander, what it means to be an Ally, and how Allyship can positively impact your workplace.
Chicago employers must provide every employee with one hour of sexual harassment prevention training annually and one hour of Bystander Intervention training annually. They must provide supervisors and managers with two hours of sexual harassment prevention training annually.
SHIFT HR Compliance Training’s Bystander Intervention course is fully customizable to reflect your organization’s brand, industry, and workforce needs. Companies can seamlessly incorporate their logo, colors, and messaging to create a familiar, engaging learning environment. Policies, scenarios, and examples can also be tailored to align with local regulations, industry standards, and workplace realities. For organizations with unique needs, SHIFT offers bespoke development to design content that mirrors company culture and addresses specific challenges employees may face. This flexibility ensures not only compliance but also greater employee engagement, retention, and impact. When training feels relevant, practical, and connected to your brand, it resonates more deeply with learners—strengthening buy-in and fostering a culture of accountability, respect, Allyship, and inclusion across your workforce.
SHIFT HR Compliance Training’s legal expertise ensures all of our trainings meet Federal and State compliance, which allows your company to roll-out training with confidence and trust. Not only is all content legally vetted, but it is engaging, creative, and warm. Your employees will gain critical knowledge, practice real-world examples, and learn foundation skills in our Bystander Intervention training.
Yes, the training can be customized to include your company policies or code of conduct.
Investing in bystander intervention training helps prevent costly lawsuits, reduces employee turnover, and minimizes productivity loss caused by toxic workplace behavior. Proactive training fosters a respectful culture, which lowers the risk of legal claims and reputational damage, ultimately saving organizations significant money over time.
