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

LIVE ONLINE TRAINING COURSE

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.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:

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

Why You Should Attend:

This webinar 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 webinar 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.

Who Should Attend:

Senior Leadership

HR Professionals

Managers & Supervisors

Employees

Compliance Professionals

During the Q&A session following the live event, ask a question, and get a direct response from our expert speaker.

Note: You will get access to the Recording link and E-Transcript; in your account and at your registered email address, in the next 2 -3 days once the webinar is accomplished.