6 Ways on How You Can Handle Sexual Harassment Complaints

As the employer, you are considered as the most powerful individual in the workplace. However, you also have the biggest responsibility, considering that you will be required to take necessary actions in order to maintain a harmonious work environment and to make employment-related decisions which can affect the entire workforce.

It is natural to feel anxious when you suddenly received a sexual harassment complaint from one of your employees because this complaint may lead to government investigations and may cause tension between your employees. In addition, if you failed to address the problem carefully, the complainant may decide to file a case against you with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

In order to avoid any conflicts which may be caused by the complaint, it is advisable that you follow these tips when addressing it:

• Consult a San Diego sexual harassment attorney - A legal expert can give you advice on how you can deal with it. In addition, he will tell you the legal issues that you have to consider when addressing the problem.


• Follow the rules which may be found in the employment handbook - If the employee handbook contains rules on how to deal with sexual harassment complaints, it is advisable that you follow them. Do not expose yourself to any type of liability by failing to take necessary steps in order to resolve the problem.


• Be neutral - Even if you do not like the complainant, you should not let your personal feelings and opinions affect the investigation in any way.


• Respect the privacy of both parties - You should not reveal the details that you have gathered during the investigation to outside parties, specifically employees who are not involved in the problem. Doing so will only affect the productivity of your employees and may damage the reputation of both parties.


• Talk to all individuals who are involved in the complaint - You should talk to the complainant, the alleged harasser, and everyone who may know something regarding the violation. Getting their version of events will enable you to know what really happened. However, you should not take every word that they say as the truth. Remember, statements given by the involved parties should be compared to the evidence that you have gathered.


• Punish the harasser if he was found guilty - After the investigation has been conducted, you will need to assess the information gathered during the process and determine if the complainant’s accusations are true. If they are, you must then give appropriate punishment to the harasser.