Neutral Fact Finding
Under both state and federal laws, employers have a legal duty to take “all reasonable steps” necessary to prevent discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other unlawful employment practices. Courts have consistently found employer investigations of employee claims of unlawful behavior to be an essential part of prevention.
At Jay Resendez, Attorney at Law, we specialize in conducting prompt, thorough, and neutral workplace investigations into matters such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, whistle-blower complaints, and other types of employee misconduct.
Some recent investigations have involved:
- A student’s complaint of sexual harassment by a college professor;
- A Fire Chief’s complaint against a Human Resources Director for discrimination;
- An anonymous complaint regarding a Police Chief’s alleged misuse of a city vehicle; and
- A City Manager’s alleged sexual harassment of a city employee.
We are also experienced in navigating and complying with special laws, such as the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights Act and the Firefighters’ Bill of Rights Act, which apply to certain occupations and investigations.
The investigative process typically involves an initial assessment of the subject matter and the issues to be investigated, witness interviews, gathering of evidence, making credibility determinations, making findings of fact, and the preparation of a confidential, attorney-client privileged investigation report.