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Home > Resources > HR compliance > Disciplinary action & investigations > How to handle a harassment complaint
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How to handle a harassment complaint

This guide outlines practical steps employers should take when responding to a harassment complaint, including intake, investigation, and evaluation of the allegations.

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by Douglas Zucker, Bauch Zucker Hatfield LLC

Federal, state and local laws protect employees from sexual harassment as well as harassment based on any protected class status.

In this guide, learn about:

  • Step 1: Understand what harassment is
  • Step 2: Make sure complaint gets to the right individual
  • Step 3: Interview the complainant
  • Step 4: Interview the accused
  • Step 5: Evaluate the complaint to determine if it warrants an investigation
  • Step 6: Designate an investigator

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Latest updates

Updated with respect to the National Labor Relations Board’s August 2023 Stericycle ruling, which adopted a new legal standard for evaluating the validity of workplace rules under the National Labor Relations Act.

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About the author

Douglas Zucker

Douglas Zucker of Bauch Zucker Hatfield LLC has spent his professional career in the labor and employment field. First as an HR professional and then as an attorney representing private and public sector employers and nonprofit organizations in all aspects of employment and general business matters. He has extensive experience providing a wide range of legal services to clients and also assists executives in contract negotiations.

Mr. Zucker is experienced in conducting internal workplace investigations and training programs as well as drafting and revising employee handbooks and policies. He also provides extensive employer counseling on family and medical leave, discrimination and harassment, disability and reasonable accommodation, wage and hour issues, and discipline and discharge.

Connect with Douglas on LinkedIn

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