Workplace Training and Employment Investigations

Work Place Investigations – If an employee complains of illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation, it is best to resolve the matter internally.  The alternative is that the employee can complain to the Equal Employment Opportunity or another government agency, and/or file a lawsuit.

The operative question is:  what is the best way to address a complaint internally?  A company could let the human resources department investigate and address the matter.  However, employees do not consider the human resource department to be neutral.  Indeed, the human resource department is not neutral.  Human resource employees are company employees, and they have a vested interest in siding on the side of the company, whether intentionally or subconsciously.  Too often, the easiest solution seems to be to get rid of the trouble maker.  Unfortunately, that often just leads to a new retaliation claim.

If a company immediately gets an attorney involved, the complaining employee will likely see that as an attack and will not respond well.  The employee may feel he/she now has to retain an attorney as well, and conflict will not be as easily resolved.

One solution is to quickly hire a neutral investigator when an employee complains of illegal treatment.  A good neutral investigator has relevant legal knowledge and conflict resolution skills.  A neutral investigator will come to the company, interview the pertinent employees, review documentation and issue a detailed report with the investigator’s conclusions as to whether illegal activity took place.  The investigator may also be able to propose resolutions to problems.

This report provides a win-win solution for the company:

• If a neutral investigator finds no illegal activity, the employee will still feel that the company took his/her complaints seriously.  Because the investigator was neutral, there should be no concern for bias.  If the employee nonetheless files a complaint, the company can show it responded quickly and appropriately.

• If a neutral investigator finds a problem, the company can correct the problem before the employee takes action that may damage the reputation and financial well being of the company.

Conflict Avoidance Workplace Training -  Employers often repeat the same mistakes that result in lawsuits.   Employers can reap huge benefits in learning how to address employee complaints before they turn into lawsuit.  Alona M. Gottfried has trained lawyers, mediators and human resource managers on how to mediate disputes and avoid going to court over employee complaints.

Alona M. Gottfried and Jared C. Simmons are attorneys, mediators and neutral investigators in Arizona.  They have over ten years experience in employment law and business law respectively.  If you have questions about neutral investigations, they can be reached at: 480-998-1500 or alona@sglawaz.com and jared@sglawaz.com.  This is a general interest article only and is not intended to be legal advice.  See a legal professional before making legal decisions.

Simmons & Gottfried, PLLC.
3877 N. 7th Street, Suite 340
Phoenix, AZ 85014