Employer Resource Institute Audio Conference

Originally presented on September 5, 2007

Order Option       Price   CD Recording Only       $199

As an additional benefit, you will receive a no-risk trial subscription to California Employment Law Answers when you register for this audio conference (or purchase a CD recording). You will receive 3 evaluation issues. If you want to continue to receive the newsletter, simply pay the invoice you will receive in the mail. If you decide the newsletter isn't for you, just write cancel on the invoice and return it. You will owe nothing, and all issues you receive are yours to keep. As with all ERI products, your satisfaction is guaranteed 100%. (Offer good for new subscribers only.)

When you're facing trouble in the workplace—based on complaints filed by employees or simply your own suspicions—your first instinct may to launch an investigation into what's going on. In California, in fact, you may even have a legal duty to check things out if the allegations involve issues such as occupational safety or sexual harassment.

What happens next, though, could mean the difference between resolving the issue quickly and correctly—or exposing your organization to harassment claims and discrimination lawsuits. If you handle the investigation properly, you can resolve the problems without creating new ones. But, if you make a mistake (even in good faith), you could wind up in major legal trouble.

Join us on Sept. 5 for this revealing audio conference that will explain the legal dos and don'ts of conducting a proper, effective workplace investigation in California. You'll learn the most common hidden dangers that trip up well-meaning employers—and the best ways to avoid making the same mistakes! Plus, our experts will tell you how to decide if investigations are warranted in the first place, how to document the steps you take along the way, and how to handle the outcomes (from contacting law enforcement to terminating employees) safely and legally.

YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL LEARN:

• When employee complaints or your suspicions require investigations in the first place
• The primary federal and California laws that you might violate unknowingly when you conduct an investigation
• Critical steps to follow, from start to finish, in handling the investigation yourself
• When you should use outside investigators and attorneys—and what to consider when you do
• How you should handle conflicting "he said/she said" accusations, workers who don't want to talk, witnesses who don't seem credible, or workplace gossip that starts after you've launched an investigationers
• When (if ever) it's appropriate to use tactics such as electronic monitoring, polygraphs, searches, and undercover investigators
• How to document your investigation, step by step, to reduce your legal liability
• The special risks involved when investigating top executives or off-site incidents
• What you can do to minimize employee retaliation complaints
• The required steps you must take following an investigation to ensure you stay out of court

ABOUT YOUR SPEAKERS:

Roy A. Clarke, Esq., serves as chair of the labor and employment department of law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon, working from the firm's Los Angeles office. Clarke's practice as a partner in the firm covers labor and employment law, with an emphasis on advisory matters and administrative hearings. Clarke is assistant city attorney for the city of Fairfield and has worked as acting city attorney for El Cerrito, as well as interim general counsel for the Greater San Gabriel Valley Consortium. Prior to joining his law firm, he served as staff attorney and risk manager for the city of Beverly Hills and as corporate counsel for a Fortune 100 corporation. He received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law.

Mary L. Topliff, Esq., founded The Law Offices of Mary L. Topliff in San Francisco in 1997. She specializes in employment law counseling, training, and compliance, with a focus on practical, proactive solutions to employee relations issues. Topliff regularly advises business owners and human resources professionals on all aspects of workplace issues, from harassment prevention and exempt/nonexempt job classifications to disability accommodations and leaves of absence, among many other topics. She has held leadership positions within several state and local human resource organizations. She received her law degree from The Ohio State University School of Law.

Approved for Recertification Credit

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hour toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI homepage at www.hrci.org.

How Do Audio Conferences Work?

An audio conference is remarkably cost-effective and convenient. You participate from your office using a regular telephone. You have no travel costs and no out-of-office time.

Plus, for one low price you can get as many people in your office to participate as you can fit around a speakerphone.

Because the conference is live, you can ask the speakers questions'either on the phone or via e-mail.

With your registration, you also receive conference materials with additional practical information from California Employer Advisor sent to you via e-mail shortly before the conference.

Why You Can Sign Up To Attend This Event with Confidence

As with all California Employer Advisor products, you're completely protected. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with this audio conference, simply let us know and we will return your entire registration fee.