The “Superstar” Harasser: Managing Sexual Harassment Claims, Post-#MeToo Movement
Companies in every industry are wrestling with how to respond to allegations of workplace harassment involving C-suite and “superstar” employees. Responding properly and conducting investigations are a necessary but challenging process. There is no one-size-fits-all response, and investigation tactics must be tailored to fit the nature and severity of the allegations, but when properly conducted, investigations and resulting remedial action can significantly decrease an employer's exposure to liability.
Learning Objectives:
- How company leadership can effectively manage and respond to employee complaints.
- The proper steps for conducting an internal investigation.
- The right and wrong way of dealing with he said/she said scenarios and innuendos.
- Best practices to proactively minimize the occurrence of allegations in the future.
Shayna Helene Balch
Shayna Balch is a partner in both the Phoenix and Los Angeles offices. She represents employers in employment and labor litigation matters before federal and state courts as well as before administrative agencies. She handles matters across all facets of labor and employment law including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, restrictive covenants, preventive counseling, employee training, personnel policies, and employment agreements. Shayna has represented clients before trial and appellate courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Arizona Civil Rights Division, and United States Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
Pavneet Singh Uppal
Pavneet Singh Uppal is a partner in the Firm’s Phoenix office and has litigated in state and federal courts in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Illinois. He regularly represents national, regional, and local clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. As lead trial counsel, Pavneet has litigated employment cases, including class actions, in federal and state trial and appellate courts, at arbitration and before administrative agencies. He focuses his practice on labor and employment disputes with an emphasis on unfair competition, trade secrets, wrongful discharge and equal employment opportunity litigation and arbitration.