What happens next, though, could mean the difference between resolving the issue quickly and correctly – or exposing your organization to harassment claims and discrimination lawsuits. If you handle the investigation properly, you can resolve the problems without creating new ones. But if you make a mistake (even in good faith), you could wind up in major legal trouble.

Order this revealing audio conference recording that will explain the legal do's and don’ts of conducting a proper, effective workplace investigation. You’ll learn the most common hidden dangers that trip up well-meaning employers – and the best ways to avoid making the same mistakes. Plus, our experts – two experienced employment law attorneys - will tell you how to decide if investigations are warranted in the first place, how to document the steps you take along the way, and how to handle the outcomes (from contacting law enforcement to terminating employees) safely and legally.

You and your colleagues will learn:

• The types of complaints that require your immediate attention
• The laws you might unknowingly violate when you conduct an investigation
• Critical steps to follow, from start to finish, when handling an investigation yourself
• When you should use outside investigators and attorneys – and what to consider when you do
• How you should handle conflicting “he said/she said” accusations, workers who don’t want to talk, witnesses who don’t seem credible, and workplace gossip that starts after you’ve launched an investigation
• When (if ever) it’s appropriate to use tactics such as electronic monitoring, polygraphs, searches, and undercover investigators
• How to document your investigation, step by step, to reduce your legal liability
• The special risks involved when investigating top executives or off-site incidents
• What you can do to minimize employee retaliation complaints
• The required steps you must take following an investigation to ensure you stay out of court

Kristine Kwong, Esq., is a partner at the Los Angeles, California, office of Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP. She is an experienced labor and employment law attorney who represents both private and public sector employers in federal and state courts throughout California in counseling and litigation. Kwong advises and counsels clients on a wide range of business and employment issues, including wage and hour matters, noncompete and restrictive covenant agreements, executive compensation packages, the full range of disciplinary matters, discrimination, harassment, and leaves of absences. As part of her practice, she also drafts and updates handbooks, policy manuals, codes of conduct, and severance packages for her clients.

A prolific and sought-after trainer, Kwong regularly produces and presents training programs for employers throughout California on current issues of employment law, particularly in the area of government-mandated programs such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For three consecutive years, Kwong was named a Southern California Super Lawyer “Rising Star” by Los Angeles Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine.

Saundra Riley, Esq., is an associate at the Mountain View, California, office of Fenwick & West, LLP. In her employment litigation practice, Riley defends employers against claims for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; wage and hour and California Labor Code violations; unfair competition and trade secret violations; breach of contract; and many other claims in state and federal court. In her employment counseling practice, Riley advises employers about trade secret protection, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, company handbooks and policies, employee terminations, and many other personnel issues. She also regularly provides training programs on various employment law topics, including leaves of absence, harassment prevention, and managing within the law.

A graduate of the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law, Riley is a member of the State Bar of California and admitted to practice in the state courts of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, and the Northern District of California. She is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and previously served on the ABTL’s Leadership Development Committee.

Approved for Recertification Credit

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page at www.hrci.org.

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