Yesterday, the Hawks’ former GM Dan Ferry told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he’s “been asking the Hawks for many months to release the results of the Taylor investigation because I wanted everyone to have those facts. For whatever reason, … Continue reading
Eighty-four percent of employees who report a compliance concern outside their company first reported the concern internally. It was only after the employer failed to address the concern satisfactorily that the employee reported the concern to a third-party outside the … Continue reading
Wow. What a difference 24 hours can make. Last week, Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin abruptly left the team amid press reports that team members were bullying him. Yesterday morning, (Nov. 3rd), the Miami Dolphins issued a press release … Continue reading
Most employers and their regular counsel and HR managers are by now well aware of an employer’s legal duty to promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate any complaint of perceived discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. They also generally understand that an employer … Continue reading
Facebook, blogs, Twitter, on-line petitions – Social media is leveling the public relations playing field. Gone are the days when big business controlled the media. Today, a disgruntled employee can fight back using social media. Using these new tools, former … Continue reading
How do lawyers who represent employees decide which of the employees who contact them to represent? According to Nina Pirrotti, an attorney with Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Richardson, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C., one of her “first lines of inquiry in evaluating a … Continue reading
I spoke this week at the HR Star Conference here in Atlanta and at the conference had a great discussion with some HR professionals on the importance of conducting fair, unbiased and professional workplace investigations. One of the HR managers … Continue reading
The recent reinstatement of a $3.5 million award of punitive damages by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit highlighted the importance of responding promptly, thoroughly and fairly to employee complaints of harassment, even where the harassers … Continue reading
In reflecting on the proper role of confidentiality in workplace investigations following the Banner Estrella Medical Center NLRB decision, I am reminded of the fundamental principle all medical students are taught – “First, do no harm.” This principle is a … Continue reading
The $3.5 million jury verdict last week in favor of a former lifeguard at a swimming pool in Washington D.C. is a striking example of why organizations need to consider procedural fairness in how they respond to complaints in the … Continue reading