available via

When an employee files a complaint—whether it’s a whistleblower alleging companywide fraud or someone who feels sexually harassed by a coworker—the workplace can suddenly become charged with negative rumors and anxiety, which can escalate into claims of unfair retaliation against the complainant. Managers in these situations need to “walk the line” between appropriately responding to legitimate employee complaints and effectively continuing to manage both the complaining employee and other workers. “Walking the Line” covers managers’ legal obligations to avoid both the perception and the reality of retaliation, as well as the legal definitions of whistleblowing and retaliation. More importantly, it focuses on building skills so that managers will be prepared to identify the red flags for potential whistleblower retaliation claims and will know how to effectively handle these situations to avoid the risk of retaliation lawsuits.

This course is also available as a 1/2 day module for Putting the Law to Work for Managers and Supervisors.

topics

• Overview of the laws against retaliation and the legal definition of a whistleblower
• Managers’ responsibilities to avoid the perception or the reality of retaliation
• Developing a script for responding to employee complaints and determining which complaints are entitled to legal protection
• Identifying red flags for potential whistleblower situations
• Reviewing your business’s policies on retaliation

who should attend?

• Human resources professionals
• Managers and supervisors