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. Our speaker will provide an overview of the do’s 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—no matter where it’s being conducted.
Learning Objectives:
- Hear how investigations in the workplace may vary depending on the country where they are conducted.
- Learn how investigators must not only get to the truth, but also navigate conflicting cultural norms and values, language barriers and differing local laws.
- Discover the unique investigation conundrums that may arise, and how your organization can ensure each investigation is both legally sound and culturally appropriate.
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.
Carson Burnham
Carson Burnham, Shareholder and Founding Chair of the Cross-Border Practice Group (CBP) at Ogletree Deakins, along with her global team, manages worldwide labor and employment matters for clients and offers practical solutions to employment law issues in over 140 countries. Carson has extensive experience advising employers with how to resolve their cross-border employment issues and structure global transactions in an efficient and cost effective manner. Carson specializes in worldwide Ethics Investigations for US- and European-Headquartered multinationals, strategic approaches to Employment law issues in cross-border M&A, and international executive compensation and management.
As co-Chair of the M&A practice group, Carson manages cross-border employment law issues in all manner of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and corporate restructuring. With over 20 years’ experience, Carson’s expertise focuses on the complex legal issues involved in managing M&A from a global perspective while remaining compliant, consistent and efficient at the local level.
Top issues Carson and her team work on include employment negotiation advice and counsel, compensation planning, executive compensation and benefits, international corporate structure requirements for engaging a local or expat workforce, union and works council negotiations, training, and litigation. Carson specializes in assisting her US clients break through obstacles arising from foreign employment laws that impede fast paced growth and progress. The unique service-model of Ogletree’s CBP developed by Carson sets it apart from most international firms, as she and her team deliver integrated results beyond US borders in the efficient, goal-oriented manner that US clients expect from good lawyers. Carson regularly writes and speaks on all manner of topics important to multinational employers.