2021 - Workplace Harassment Prevention: How to Conduct an Internal Harassment and Bullying Investigation

OVERVIEW
When an employee complains that he or she is experiencing harassment of any type, the employer has a legal, ethical, and employee-relations obligation to investigate the charges thoroughly. The employer can't decide whether to believe the employee but must take him or her at their word.
If an employer hears rumors that harassment is occurring, the employer must investigate the potential harassment. This may include hearing gossip from other employees, it may involve instances in which non involved employees or friends of the targeted employee bring up the subject with Human Resources to help their coworker or friend who is embarrassed to go to HR. It can also include any instance in which an employee tells HR about questionable behavior that they have witnessed.
These are examples of just how seriously employers must take sexual and any other form of employee harassment that is or may be occurring in their workplace. Assuming the decision is made to investigate the report, there should be protocols in place to get started, including a method for choosing the investigator, assigning the case and tracking and reporting on the investigation.
It's imperative that employers understand how to evaluate the scope of their internal investigations, how to document steps taken along the way, and how to insulate their organization from subsequent lawsuits. Additionally, it's also important for employers to ensure all parties are treated fairly during the process and be sensitive to how the organization's process is communicated and implemented.
While no employer wants to be accused of harassment, all employers need to be armed with the knowledge of how to proceed should they find themselves in the position not having to defend themselves against a harassment charge. Employers must ensure they are properly prepared at the outset of an investigation to conduct effective and legally-compliant investigations into the harassment.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
More so today than ever, harassment claims in the workplace are a hotbed for litigation and EEOC claims. While no employer wants to be accused of harassment, all employers need to be armed with the knowledge of how to proceed should they find themselves in the position of having to defend themselves against a harassment charge. Employers must ensure they are properly prepared at the outset of an investigation to conduct effective and legal-compliant investigations into harassment.
This presentation will focus on key policies, procedures and training to put in place to try to avoid harassment claims of all types through the use of effective and legal investigations, steps to take to respond to allegations of harassment or improper conduct in the workplace, and proper steps to take once a claim has been filed. The presentation will focus on investigating all types of harassment, as well as common issues that may violate company policy, such as bullying in the workplace.
Participation in this webinar will teach you how to conduct a legally and psychologically effective workplace probe. From fact-finding to conducting interviews and writing reports, this webinar will assist you in gaining the confidence to conduct effective, fair investigations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
What Constitutes Harassment?
Laws that Influence your Investigation
Making the Decision to Investigate
Legal Landmines Surrounding Investigations
What Managers need to know about all Aspects of Handling Harassment Claims
Creating a Successful Roadmap to your Investigation
Choosing the Right Investigator
Interviewing Techniques
Conducting Effective Interviews
Evaluating Complainant, Accused, and Witness Credibility
Understanding the Perspectives of the Complainant and Accused
Fostering a Perception of Fairness
Appropriate Handling of Documentation
Developing Documentation that will stand-up in a Lawsuit
Making the Appropriate Determination
Taking Appropriate Action once a Determination has been Made
Determining corrective actions
Communicating investigation results with sensitivity and fairness
Effectively Handling the Impact on your Employees
Addressing Rumors and Questions in the Aftermath of an Investigation
Writing a Court-Ready Final Report
Preventing Retaliation and Future Workplace Misconduct
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
Senior Leadership
HR Professionals
Managers & Supervisors
Employees
Compliance Professionals
SPEAKER PROFILE
Diane L. Dee
Diane L. Dee, President of Advantage HR Consulting, has over 25 years of experience in the Human Resources arena. Diane’s background includes experience in HR consulting and administration in corporate, government, consulting and pro bono environments.
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