In light of the mounting allegations against – and even admissions from – certain elected officials, well-known journalists and high-ranking Hollywood moguls, employers must be vigilant in taking steps to protect their workplaces and employees from sexual and other forms of harassment. While this issue remains a complicated one, there are some simple risk management steps that can be taken in order to minimize the risk of harassment in the workplace and to increase a company’s lines of defense against such claims.

 

•  Maintain a strong, legally compliant anti-harassment policy that all employees must sign and acknowledge;

•  Require your entire management/leadership team take an anti-harassment training course anddocument course content and their attendance;

•  Notify employees in writing about who and how to contact members of management or human resources about sexual or any other form of harassment they experience;

• Establish a zero tolerance policy concerning management’s obligation to report concerns/complaints of harassment from employees;

• Investigate all complaints, regardless of management’s view of credibility; and
  
  
• Document the steps taken to investigate complaints and to address conduct.

 

For more information, please contact Rachel E. Yarch at 312/840-7029 or ryarch@burkelaw.com.