Webcast
An Employer’s Guide to Managing Workplace Harassment Complaints
Streams live on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 11:30am EDT
Course Information
Course Description
The #MeToo movement highlighted the catastrophic effect harassment complaints can have on businesses and employees. Mishandled complaints of workplace harassment can result in an employer’s exposure to public ridicule and embarrassment, loss of revenue, high litigation costs, financial liability, and reduced employee morale. Recently, state and city legislatures have passed new legislation aimed at reducing workplace harassment by placing significant obligations on employers.
In this course, Tannenbaum Helpern's employment attorneys, Elizabeth E. Schlissel and Andrew P. Yacyshyn will discuss how employers should respond to complaints of workplace harassment, minimize potential liability, and ensure a respectful workplace for all employees. The presenters will also discuss best practices to mitigate the risk of costly harassment lawsuits, effective anti-harassment policies, training, and the nuances of new anti-harassment laws.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the fundamentals of workplace anti-harassment laws and recent changes to those laws
- Discuss best practices for handling workplace harassment the complaint, including prompt and thorough investigation techniques
- Identify employment practices that minimize liability, such as sexual harassment prevention training and anti-harassment policies
- Maintain a respectful workplace that is harassment-free
Credit Information
Faculty
Andrew P. Yacyshyn
Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP
Andrew P. Yacyshyn is an associate in Tannenbaum Helpern's Employment Law and Corporate, Capital Formation and Securities Law practice groups, as well as its Staffing Law practice. Andrew advises clients on various employment matters including wage and hour compliance; allegations and charges of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination; background checks and internal workplace investigations; misclassification of workers; the administration and implementation of employee policies and procedures; and compliance with federal, state, and local employment and labor laws. Andrew reviews and drafts employee handbooks, confidentiality agreements and other restrictive covenants, employment agreements, and separation agreements. Andrew also has experience conducting internal workplace investigations of harassment and discrimination.
In the field of Corporate, Capital Formation and Securities Law, Andrew helps clients negotiate and implement mergers and acquisitions and related transactions, and advises clients on corporate transactions, corporate governance, and business formation. Andrew drafts and prepares stock and asset purchase agreements, merger agreements, operating agreements, and other corporate documents for privately held companies.
Andrew received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 2015. During his time at Fordham, Andrew served in Fordham's Consumer Litigation Clinic and was awarded the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award for his efforts. In addition, Andrew held positions in a private litigation law firm and subsequently in New York Life Insurance Company's Office of the General Counsel.
Elizabeth E. Schlissel
Tannenbaum Halpern
Elizabeth Schlissel is an associate in the Tannenbaum Helpern’s Employment Law practice representing clients in employment litigation and other aspects of employment law.
Employment Litigation
Elizabeth represents companies in all facets of employment law including wage and hour issues, discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, breach of employment contracts and restrictive covenants, harassment and failure to accommodate disabilities in state and federal court. She also represents employers in connection with audits and investigations conducted by the U.S. and New York State Department of Labor.
Employment Counseling
Elizabeth counsels employers and their management team and HR executives in complying with federal, state and local employment laws. Counseling includes advising clients on a daily basis regarding personnel issues, wage and hour compliance, and preventing, investigating and responding to discrimination and sexual harassment complaints. In addition, Elizabeth regularly works with employers reviewing and drafting their employee handbooks and policies.