Investigating and Resolving Sexual Harassment Claims

Sexual harassment is a continuing problem in the workplace that continues to gain greater visibility in our society. In this webinar an overview of what sexual harassment will be given followed by statistics on the prevalence of the problem. In dealing with sexual harassment, employers must have a plan to investigate allegations of sexual harassment. Decisions must be made on who can serve as a neutral investigator and the techniques they must utilize to gather evidence in order to reach an informed decision on the allegations made by a complainant. In making a decision on the truthfulness of the sexual harassment claims, the investigator must be able to write a report that describes the techniques used to investigate the allegations and the evidence used to justify the recommendations and actions taken while measuring the credibility of those interviewed.

The webinar will also look at when it is appropriate to use private methods like mediation to resolve sexual harassment claims outside of court. During the webinar, the Four Phase Process Model and Settlement Process Models of mediation will be examined to determine how and when these models of mediation can be used to resolve these claims. A look will also be taken when mediation is not the answer and litigation in the courts is needed to resolve these issues.

Webinar Objectives

• Participants will learn the different types of sexual harassment
• Those attending will learn the basics of investigating sexual harassment claims
• Attendees will be provided information on how to make decisions on sexual harassment claims
• Participants will learn how to write up a decision on a sexual harassment claims
• Those attending will understand when it is appropriate to use mediation to resolve sexual harassment claims
• Participants will be introduced to different models to mediate sexual harassment claims
• Attendees will be able to compare mediation to litigation in resolving sexual harassment claims

Webinar Agenda

• Defining Sexual Harassment
• Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
• Hostile Work Environment
• Developing a Plan to Investigate Sexual Harassment Claims
• Choosing a Neutral Investigator
• Gathering Evidence on Sexual Harassment Claims
• Guidelines on Making Decisions on Sexual Harassment Claims
• Writing the Investigative Report
• Measuring Credibility of Witnesses
• Using Mediation to Resolve Sexual Harassment Claims
• Deciding When Mediation is Appropriate
• Models of Mediation to Use for Allegations of Sexual Harassment
• Litigation vs. Mediation

Webinar Highlights

• Different types of sexual harassment
• Investigating sexual harassment claims
• How to make decisions on sexual harassment claims
• How to write up a decision on a sexual harassment claims
• When to use mediation to resolve sexual harassment claims
• Different models to mediate sexual harassment claims
• Comparing mediation to litigation in resolving sexual harassment claims

Who Should Attend

Human Resource Managers, Ombudspersons, Mediators, Arbitrators, Human Resource Generalists, Managers, Team Leaders, General Counsel, Attorneys