Friday, January 21, 2011

What to Do During a Sexual Harassment Investigation


Sexual harassment is a wrongful conduct that should not be tolerated in workplaces. Although most companies and offices implement guidelines on how to report or file a complaint, the victim would still need the assistance of a lawyer before making a move.

When getting a lawyer, you have to look for someone who is knowledgeable and familiar with your issues and preferably someone who works within the area, near your workplace.

For instance, if you were involved in a sexually harassing conduct in San Diego, getting a San Diego sexual harassment attorney to represent you is a smart and practical decision.
  
However it does not end with that; it is also important to cooperate during the investigation of the case. Here are some things to keep in mind during an investigation.

  1. Keep everything confidential – Everyone involved in the investigation should keep the details to themselves. Both the accused and the complainant have their reputations on the line in a sexual harassment case. Confidentiality should therefore be observed so that no other person outside the case may spread possibly false information about it.
  2. Always cooperate – Do not be afraid to reveal everything you know. People who reveal information about such cases are protected by the law. If you are afraid of being retaliated for complaining about sexual harassment, helping someone complain, or for testifying about the complaint, talk about your concerns with the investigator.
  3. Answer the investigator’s questions completely – If you are the complainant, you are likely to be asked of the following questions regarding the case.
·         Who are the witnesses to the offensive conduct, if there are any?
·         When and where did the harassment occur?
·         Who among the other employees had the similar experience with the accused?

Meanwhile, if you’re the accused, the investigator may ask you to do the following:

·         Not to retaliate against the complainant or anyone who participated in the investigation..
·         Confirm or deny each of the specific allegations made against you.
·         Explain why the complainant will exaggerate or fabricate any information about the charges, if he or she did.

  1. Always communicate with the investigator or everyone else involved in the investigation – Along the way, you may gather new evidences or facts about the case and it is important for you to report to the people concerned if you did gather anything new. As a complainant, ask about any development on the case.
  2. Expect remedial action as soon as harassment is proven – Employers should discipline the harasser once proven that he’s guilty to discourage others from doing the same thing. Even if harassment is not proven, the employer may still have to take actions to avoid any more cases in the future and to further strengthen the company’s anti-sexual harassment policies.
It helps to know some of the benefits and advantages of getting a knowledgeable San Diego employment lawyer in a work-related dispute.



The Mesriani Law Group has a wide range of legal resources as we work with the best lawyers and litigators in each state across the United States. We offer a unique attorney directory where you can find a lawyer's location and area of practices. For more information contact Mesriani Law Group at 310-826-6300 or visit the main office at 12400 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 810 Los Angeles CA 90025.

2 comments:

  1. Though the majority of sexually harassed workers are women, men can also file a complaint against their female supervisor or male co-worker. Harassment not only includes unwanted physical sexual advances, but also indiscreet actions that constitute hostile work environment. It can be repetitive verbal assault on one's private part, or showing of nude photos. Reporting such misconduct immediately and participating in an investigation can prevent further abuses in the workplace.

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  2. I agree with you, Zara. Today, men can also suffer from sexual harassment, not just women. If you were sexually harassed by your co-employee, supervisor, or employer, you should fight for your rights with the help of an attorney.

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