The Essential Guide to Workplace Investigations [With CDROM] [Paperback]

One of the responsibilities of employers is to insure a safe and secure workplace. This necessitates dealing with employee accusations of harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, employee theft, and other challenges to the workplace security of employees -- whether the problem is perceived from emanating from management or other employees. Lisa Guerin, an attorney specializing is resolving workplace issues, has written "The Essential Guide To Workplace Investigations: How To Handle Employee Complains & Problems", a 350-page, 'user friendly' instruction manual for managers, human resources professionals, and business owners, on investigating and resolving common workplace issues in a manner that is fair, effective, and in adherence to federal laws and state regulations. Enhanced with an accompanying CD-ROM with forms, sample polices, checklists, and other resources, "The Essential Guide To Workplace Investigations" is an informed and informative, offering step-by-step instructions on deciding whether or not to investigate a complain; taking immediate action if deemed necessary; selecting an investigator; planning the investigation; interviewing; gathering evidence; evaluating the evidence; taking appropriate action; documenting the investigation; and doing follow-up to insure future compliance. Simply stated, "The Essential Guide To Workplace Investigations" is an essential and basic reference for anyone charged with the responsibility of providing employees with a conflict-free work environment.

Even includes all forms, sample policies and documentation, checklists and other resources on a cd for editing and print out, plus audio scenarios and interviews.

Employee complaints and reports of harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, drug and alcohol abuse and employee theft are of grave concern to human resource managers and the liability of corporations. This field has evolved greatly since the 70's in every way, including legislation. This book gives the latest state of the field, with resources needed to address the issues which arise.

Nolo is an excellent service for getting the law into the reach of the nonlawyer. This book is compiled by a Doctor of Law, Lisa Guerin, JD, who is an expert in employment law and serves at Nolo as legal editor. She has also co-written such books as Dealing With Problem Employees: A Legal Guide and Create Your Own Employee Handbook: A Legal and Practical Guide, as well as writing Smart Policies for Workplace Technology: Email, Blogs, Cell Phones & More, and Everyday Employment Law: The Basics, along with several other texts in this field.

This book guides the Human Resource manager through ten steps for running an effective employee complaint investigation. In the first place, to establish the necessity for investigating, and then the need for immediate action. HR must then choose an investigator, and plan the investigation. Interviews are then conducted to determine the facts in the case. Evidence is gathered and evaluated. Action is taken. The investigation is fully documented, with follow-up.

This book guides HR through each of these ten stages, and provides generic forms needed at each stage on the cd which can easily be adapted to the particular situation. The audio samples on the cd also model investigation techniques.

Newsweek says that 'Nolo is always there in a jam as the nation's premiere publisher of do-it-yourself legal books' and this book continues that fine tradition of practical service. It just about serves as a corporation's legal department. This book can also serve to assist the legal professional in these situations, and could well be found on many a workplace lawyer's bookshelf, or, more likely, work desk.

The Society for Human Resource Management is an international professional association which provides current and comprehensive resources promoting HR's strategic role, and approves this book among its resources, which serves the corporation as well as the victim of discrimination and harassment.

"The Essential Guide to Worplace Investigations: How to Handle Employee Complaints and Problems" should have a place in your HR library. The book is easy to read and offers common sense approaches to tackling most employee issues. It would benefit novice HR persons, as well as operational managers. Overall, a great guide to handling tough issues.