Under California law, employers bear a legal duty to promptly and thoroughly investigate all employee complaints alleging potentially unlawful conduct. Given the potential significant legal impact, it is critical for employers to understand how to address complaints as quickly and effectively as possible.
In this seminar, employment law attorney Angela Lopez will guide employers and Human Resource professionals in effectively handling workplace investigations, covering topics such as:
Identifying employee complaints that trigger a legal duty to investigate
Selecting an appropriate and impartial investigator
Preparing for effective interviews
Identifying witnesses and providing notice of investigation interviews
Preparing effective interview questions to identify the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of each incident
Timing, location, and other important interview considerations
Questioning the witnesses and gathering key evidence
Assessing witness credibility and resolving conflicting accounts
Writing clear, concise, and factually driven investigation reports
Determining appropriate discipline and other steps to improve the work environment
Documenting resolution of the complaint, including memos to complainants and accused wrongdoers
Monitoring the situation going forward and preventing future claims