Investigating Sexual Harassment: A Practical Guide to Resolving Complaints

Sexual harassment is a serious concern for employers. Complaints of workplace sexual misconduct filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have risen dramatically in recent years, increasing from 6,800 in 1991 to nearly 16,000 in 1997. This past year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued rulings in three workplace sexual harassment lawsuits, writing landmark decisions that make employers potentially liable for same-sex harassment in the workplace and certain instances of a supervisor's harassment of a subordinate, even when no complaint was filed with the employer.

Investigating Sexual Harassment: A Practical Guide to Resolving Complaints provides practical, tested advice on thoroughly investigating and resolving sexual harassment complaints to help employers understand their obligations under the evolving body of sexual harassment law. Written by the editors of the authoritative Educator's Guide to Controlling Sexual Harassment, it addresses such issues as:

• How quickly employers should respond to sexual harassment complaints and how long investigations should take.
• How to choose an investigator.
• How to properly interview the complainant, alleged harasser and witnesses.
• How employers should structure their sexual harassment policies and complaint procedures to limit their liability.
• When an employer is liable for sexual misconduct by a supervisor, co-worker or nonemployee.
• What impact the 1998 Supreme Court rulings on sexual harassment will have on employers.

The 240-page softbound book offers workplace scenarios, analyses of case law, sample sexual harassment policies and expert tips.

Summary of Contents:

• Defining and Preventing Sexual Harassment
• Employer Liability for Sexual Harassment
• Choosing an Investigator
• Timing An Investigation
• First Steps in an Investigation
• Basics of Interviewing
• Reaching a Conclusion
• Appeals, Arbitration and the EEOC
• Appendix A: Federal Discrimination Laws
• Appendix B: EEOC Guidance
• Appendix C: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
• Appendix D: Sample Documents
• Appendix E: Case Abstracts

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