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

🎤  Diane L. Dee             |  📅  October 26, 2023   |  🕒  11 AM Eastern Time US

AREA COVERED IN THE SESSION:   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

Description:

In the face of harassment complaints from employees, it is both a legal and ethical obligation for employers to conduct thorough investigations. Trusting the employee's account is paramount, and the employer must take their word seriously without prejudice.

Even when the employer becomes aware of harassment rumors, they must initiate a potential investigation. This includes cases where concerned coworkers or friends of the affected employee bring the matter to HR to protect their colleague who may feel uncomfortable reporting directly. Any employee disclosing questionable behavior must be taken seriously as well.

Employers must grasp the gravity of addressing all forms of harassment in the workplace. When deciding to investigate a report, well-established protocols are crucial. This involves selecting an unbiased investigator, assigning the case, and implementing effective tracking and reporting mechanisms.

Understanding how to evaluate the scope of internal investigations, documenting each step taken, and safeguarding the organization from potential lawsuits are imperative for employers. Equally important is ensuring fairness for all parties involved throughout the process and being mindful of how the investigation process is communicated and executed.

While no employer wishes to face harassment accusations, being prepared to handle such situations is vital. Employers must equip themselves with the knowledge to conduct effective and legally-compliant investigations should the need arise.

Why You Should Attend:

In today's litigious landscape, workplace harassment claims and EEOC disputes are on the rise. Every employer must be equipped to handle potential harassment charges with finesse. Being prepared from the outset is key to conducting lawful and impactful investigations.

Our power-packed presentation focuses on crucial policies, procedures, and training to proactively prevent diverse harassment claims. Learn the precise steps to address allegations of misconduct swiftly and professionally. Gain invaluable insights on handling various forms of harassment, including the pervasive issue of workplace bullying.

Join this must-attend webinar to become an expert in conducting legally compliant and psychologically effective workplace probes. From skillful fact-finding to adeptly conducting interviews and crafting comprehensive reports, you'll gain the confidence to handle investigations with fairness and precision.

Who Should Attend: 

• Senior Leadership
• HR Professionals
• Managers & Supervisors
• Employees
• Compliance Professionals