Don’t be afraid of the “A” Word
Accountability is a much needed and often overlooked part of building civility in our companies, and communities. Asking three important questions can help move in the right direction.
Conducting Workplace Investigations with Remote Employees
Workplace investigations are always challenging, but remote workers create an interesting new challenge. But one that can be overcome.
Employee Relations Case Management as a “new normal” HR Tool
As business owners and HR professionals struggle to determine the new normal for their company and employees, we will collectively be leaning toward more automation like employee relations case management tools and online resources to get our day-to-day work done. Many, or even most, companies have implemented some form [READ MORE ...]
Solving the Loneliness Factor for Remote Workers
Ideas for helping your employees deal with loneliness due to COVID-19 forced remote working.
Can’t We Have Consistency, Compliance AND Compassion?
An article posted yesterday in the SHRM HR Daily Newsletter, took a stand that in HR matters, “Consistency Might Not Be Worth the Cost.” Although I understand that no two situations are exactly the same, and careful consideration of all the factors should drive reasonable outcomes, taking out the [READ MORE ...]
HR Offense -vs- Defense. What’s Your Plan?
It still surprises me when I hear that employees have brought forth a complaint to HR or a company executive, and no investigation was conducted. Although the numbers are reducing over time, some organizations still believe that there is less liability in simply doing nothing. Then, if a claim [READ MORE ...]
The 5 Worst Reasons for Not Conducting HR Investigations.
If you ask a CEO or HR professional if they conduct HR investigations, they will say “of course”. But when you dig in a bit further, all too often there is an “unless” statement. Here are some of the worst reasons that I have heard so far this year: Of course [READ MORE ...]
HR Investigation Exchange Survey Results
No one wants to talk about HR investigations. So we started the conversation. See what your peers have to say. And be sure to take part in the ongoing survey for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card!
Workplace Investigations Improve Company Culture. Really?
Over the last few months, I have been speaking at regional HR meetings on the topic of “Using Workplace Investigations to Drive Employee Engagement and Improve Company Culture. And although I hear some skepticism on how this could be possible, attendance has been at very high levels. When talking [READ MORE ...]
When HR Does Something Good “Just Because”.
In work, as in life, it is often the little things that matter. Let’s face it, life isn’t perfect. And although we all try not to bring our personal lives into the workplace, there are times when it just can’t be helped. As HR professionals, we are often aware [READ MORE ...]
5 Common Misnomers Re: Employer Retaliation
We all know that the laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) make it illegal to fire, demote, harass, or otherwise retaliate against either job applicants or employees based upon the individual doing any of the following: filing a charge of discrimination, complaining to their employer about discrimination on the job, or [READ MORE ...]
How Do You “Deal With It”?
In the February edition of the SHRM HR Magazine, (Yes, I know it’s March but I am a bit behind on my reading. Aren’t we all?), I read an article about dealing with difficult employees that I found to be quite interesting. I know that this topic isn’t new, but [READ MORE ...]
Will There Be Over 90,000 Discrimination Charges Filed In 2017?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 2016 statistics for discrimination and harassment cases filed for the year, showing an increase for the second consecutive year. Discrimination charges were filed in 91,503 cases (29% being sex based claims). The interesting point here is that the agency [READ MORE ...]
Does This Require an Investigation?
The answer seems to depend on who you ask. Some will give you the definition of what requires an investigation under harassment discrimination laws. Others will say that you should only conduct an investigation when it is absolutely clear that an investigation is legally required, in order to avoid [READ MORE ...]
EEOC to Focus on “Holistic Prevention Programs” to Prevent Harassment.
With the release of the EEOC Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) for 2017 – 2021, it is time to take a look at your Complaint, Investigation and Prevention processes and procedures. The SEP outlines the EEOC’s principal areas of focus for the next four years. According to the plan, the [READ MORE ...]
Can Your Company Afford $22,500 in Lost Productivity…Per Employee?
Over the weekend, I came across an interesting article in the Harvard Business Review titled, Why We Fail to Report Sexual Harassment. The article addressed the fact that despite employer efforts to train staff and investigate complaints, the majority of employees affected by harassment, whether victims or bystanders, do [READ MORE ...]
3 real calls from EEs looking to file claims
I am often asked, “Are employers really still finding reasons to fire employees in order to avoid taking the steps of conducting an investigation?” The answer is, yes! It’s unfortunate, but it is still happening. InvestiPro received the following three calls from employees who were looking to file a [READ MORE ...]
Is McDonalds Corp. a co-employer of franchise employees?
Independent franchise owners need to watch for the court decision on this as it could have wide spread implications. As explained in this article published yesterday by SHRM, 15 Employees filed sexual harassment claims in which McDonalds Corp. was named a co-employer. Needless to say, the outcome of this [READ MORE ...]
InvestiPro mentioned in Top 5 HR Tech Conference Moments
Not only did Steve Boese, Conference Chairman, vote for InvestiPro as the Next Great HR Technology Company last week at the HR Technology Conference in Chicago, he included us in his Top 5 Moments at the Conference. https://t.co/yIloNDhS2O Discovering the Next Great HR Technology Company While HR Tech, and plenty of [READ MORE ...]
The Top 10 Investigation Challenges: Part 10 – Getting back to work.
Whew....the investigation is over and now we can all get back to work, right? Often it is not that easy. In most companies, employees are well aware of what goes on in the workplace. Even in the largest companies, employees talk about what is happening in their department or building. [READ MORE ...]