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First Steps in Handling a Sexual Harassment Claim in Michigan

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We have recently had a sexual harassment claim filed at our Michigan location. I’ve never handled a sexual harassment claim before and would appreciate some guidelines for how to best proceed.

Sure. The way that you handle a sexual harassment claim at your Michigan location should be the same as a sexual harassment claim at any claim in any state across the country. There is a certain five-step procedure that you need to use when addressing this issue:

1.Interview the harassed employee to determine what he or she said happened. Ask for details, such as the location, the reaction, the events, and so forth. Find out if she has spoken to anyone about the event as well.

2.Question the accused harasser. Be sure that you do not already jump to conclusions or point fingers. Here, it is important for you to stay as objective as possible. Also, make sure that you take notes…everything should be in writing, but keep in mind that if the case goes to court, so could your notes.3.Make sure that you question all witnesses, if there are any. Ask neutral questions and do not lead your witnesses.  Also, it’s important to ask open ended questions rather than yes or no questions.

4.Take a look at all of the evidence and assess the situation as neutrally as possible. Make sure that you take a look also at the credibility of the accused and the accuser in order to help determine if the person is telling the truth or not based on all evidence and events. Have there been complaints by either party in the past? While the past may not be relevant, it could build a character sketch of both parties.

5.Finally, you must take some sort of action. After you have established all the fact, it’s up to you to help decide if there was sexual harassment. If you are unable to decide, then the case may be turned over to the authorities. It’s important, though, that you notify all parties that action has been taken in some degree.