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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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