Cross-Border Conundrums: Examining Workplace Investigations in the United States and Abroad
Conducting an investigation correctly and with sensitivity is more important than ever, both in a national and global context. In-house counsel and HR professionals must know the legal framework in the country at issue, as well as key cultural considerations. This session provides an overview of the dos and don'ts when conducting workplace investigations, including critical topics like the timing of the investigation, who to involve, and procedures for making sure the investigation is legally sound and culturally appropriate whether the investigation is being conducted in the United States or abroad.
Learning Objectives:
- How investigations in the workplace may vary depending on the country where they are conducted.
- How investigators must not only get to the truth, but also navigate conflicting cultural norms and values, language barriers, and differing local laws.
- The unique investigation conundrums that may arise, and how your organization can ensure each investigation is both legally sound and culturally appropriate.
Joseph L. Beachboard
Joseph (“Joe”) Beachboard is a nationally recognized employment lawyer who also closely tracks the most important developments at the U.S. Supreme Court impacting the business community. He has more than 30 years of experience representing management in a wide variety of employment and labor matters in perhaps the most challenging state in the nation for employers – California. Mr. Beachboard speaks regularly before human resource and employer groups on cutting edge employment law topics. He is a member of SHRM and has been an annual presenter at both the SHRM Annual Conference and the Employment Law and Compliance Conference for two decades. Mr. Beachboard is frequently quoted in such leading publications as HR Magazine, National Law Journal, Los Angeles Times, NY Times, HR Executive and Workforce, and has been published in dozens of legal and business journals. Throughout his career in Los Angeles, Mr. Beachboard has represented dozens of studios and entertainment properties. He cites his most interesting project as working with the cast and crew of the television show The Office, from its pilot through the final season.
Bonnie Puckett
Bonnie Levine’s practice focuses on Diversity & Inclusion and respectful-workplace initiatives from a global perspective. Utilizing her background and credentials in linguistics, diversity & inclusion management, and workplace investigations, Bonnie designs and executes upon multinational clients’ strategies for improving diversity and inclusion, training employees, and investigating policy violations, identifying and remedying latent office-culture problems between headquarters and subsidiaries abroad, or within particular subsidiaries. As lead of Ogletree’s Asia-Pacific regional team, Bonnie has extensive experience conducting trainings for, and investigations into conduct occurring in, locations such as Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Korea.