Harassment or Accountability? Updates on EEOC's Harassment Policy Guidance

"Harassment continues to be a leading cause of discrimination claims.  How the employer responds to such a claim from day one makes all the difference when it comes to employer liability." - Susan Fahey Desmond

According to the EEOC, harassment continues to be a huge problem in the workplace.  In an effort to clear up confusion as to when employers should be held liable for workplace harassment, the EEOC recently issued new guidance.  The guidance addresses so much more than the run of the mill sexual harassment claims – it includes racial harassment, sexual orientation harassment, and so much more!  For the first time, the EEOC also gives us an in-depth discussion of what it is looking for in your harassment policies and your harassment training programs. 

How an employer handles an harassment claim can make all the difference in avoiding a lawsuit.  It also makes all the difference in whether your company will be held liable for someone’s harassment of your employee.  Employees are becoming more aware of their rights and are not shy about using the term “harassment.”  The EEOC will also be looking at your investigation to determine whether you took that claim seriously and how you responded.  This session will guide you through what the EEOC will be expecting in analyzing your investigation.

Webinar Agenda:

• Understanding the EEOC’s approach regarding employer liability for quid pro quo harassment and hostile working environments – who does the EEOC consider as a supervisor?
• Defining quid pro quo harassment
• Defining hostile working environment
• Employer obligations when the alleged harasser is a customer
• Defining when an employee has engaged in protected activity
• New EEOC approach to retaliation claims
• Tips in conducting a proper investigation
• What the EEOC wants to see in your policies and harassment training
• Proper documentation of an harassment investigation

Who Should Attend:

• Human resource managers,
• Risk managers,
• Company owners
• All employers with 15 or more employees

Susan Fahey Desmond

Susan Fahey Desmond is a partner with Jackson Lewis, LLP, which has offices in over 54 cities across the United States. She has been representing management in all aspects of labor in employment law since 1985. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America and has been named by Chamber USA as one of America’s Leading Business Lawyers for labor and employment law. She is also listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers and Louisiana Super Lawyers.