Event Details

Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations

Whether the trigger is harassment, safety problems, drug or alcohol abuse, theft or policy violations, taking prompt action is your legal responsibility.  At some point, HR professionals and business owners will need to conduct an internal investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct.  Courts hold employers accountable for failing to investigate a complaint quickly, thoroughly and fairly, and for failing to take adequate follow-up measures to an investigation.  Without having the proper skills in how to handle allegations in the workplace - and investigate them effectively - employees may feel their complaints are not taken seriously internally. As a result, they take their complaints outside the company – to the EEOC, DOL, or to an attorney.  On the other hand, properly conducted investigations can help boost morale, build trust and avoid costly lawsuits.  Done correctly, an investigation should resolve a problem and prevent it from re-occurring. 

This presentation will give you the tools to properly conduct an investigation by developing a plan, collecting evidence, interviewing the complainant and witnesses, maintaining confidentiality, and taking the next steps after the investigation is complete.

About the Presenters:

Michelle D. Losie is a principal of Halvorson Losie Willner PLLC, a labor and employment law firm with offices in Bellingham and Bellevue.  Michelle’s practice emphasizes preventative counselling to large and small employers on employment law matters including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination claims, and workplace misconduct.  HR professionals appreciate Michelle’s experience in developing personnel policies, drafting separation agreements and complying with federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations.  Michelle has given presentations to employers and HR associations and is now an Instructor at Whatcom Community College.  Michelle holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Regina, Canada, and a degree in Law from the University of British Columbia.  Michelle practiced law in Vancouver, BC from 1990 until 2001 when she moved to Bellingham with her family.  Once licensed in Washington, Michelle has provided pro bono legal services and volunteered for Law Advocates in addition to her law practice.  She has served on the Board of the Mt. Baker Chapter of SHRM and is currently on the Board of the Whatcom County Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers.  Michelle can be reached at (360) 392-3995 or mlosie@HLWworkplaceattorneys.com. 

Jennifer R. Willner is a principal in Halvorson Losie Willner PLLC, a boutique labor and employment law firm with offices in Bellevue and Bellingham, Washington.  The firm’s attorneys have over 75 years combined experience representing employers throughout the Northwest in all aspects of labor and employment law matters.  Jennifer is a past Chair of the Washington State Bar Association, Solo & Small Firm Section and a past Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee.  She holds leadership positions in the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division of the American Bar Association.  Jennifer is also a member of the Mt. Baker Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and speaks frequently to SHRM chapters and other industry groups.  Jennifer is a gadget geek and reads voraciously and speaks frequently to other attorneys on the subjects of technology, entrepreneurship, rainmaking and law practice management.  She is now an Instructor at Whatcom Community College teaching classes in employment law and human resources.  Jennifer received her B.A. in Psychology from Reed College and her J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law.  Contact Jennifer at jennifer@HLWworkplaceattorneys.com or 360-392-3995.

Register Here

Prices:

• Member Lunch & Program: $20.00
• Non-member Lunch & Program: $25.00
• Program Only: $12.00
• Student Lunch & Program: $12.00
• Student Program Only: FREE

We are now offering the option of pre-payment for events, using Eventbrite. Once you register, you will be given the option to click on a link to pay immediately. Eventbrite charges a small "convenience fee" for this service.

If you are not able to or do not want to pre-pay, we accept payment in the form of cash, check, or credit card and must be paid at the time of check-in at the event. See cancellation policy below.

        *Mt. Baker SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP^SM or SHRM-SCP^SM. This program is valid for 1 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information about certification or recertification, please visitwww.shrmcertification.org

*This program is approved for 1 General HRCI credit

The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of the activity.  It means that this activity has met the HR Certification Institute’s criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit

Registration and lunch begin at 11:45, and include time for networking with other members and chapter announcements. The presentation/program begins around 12:00pm and lasts until approximately 1:30pm (includes a question/answer period).

Cancellation policy: Registrants will be billed the full price of the event if a cancellation is not received by 5:00 pm on the Monday prior to the luncheon.

To Cancel an Existing Reservation send the names of the attendees and the date of the event you cannot attend to treasurermtbakershrm@gmail.com.

The legal information provided by speakers at our monthly meetings is a service to our members, their guests and other attendees. It is intended to be a source of general information, not opinion or legal advice on any specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship with any individual. If you would like more information about any of the legal topics, you are urged to consult with an attorney who is experienced in the particular area of interest. If you need assistance with human resource or labor relations functions, we may be able to refer you to an experienced consultant.