What You Don’t Know About Anti-Harassment That You Better Learn

Events

8.11.17

Prohibited workplace harassment – how broadly is that phrase defined? Implicit bias, is it lurking in your workplace and effecting decisions? Are those decisions in violation of the law? Are you conducting interactive anti-harassment training?

In January 2017, the EEOC released proposed guidance regarding workplace harassment. While the guidance is not yet effective, the current Acting Chair of the EEOC, Victoria Lipnic, was heavily involved in the drafting of the updated guidance thus it is believed much of the guidance will go into effect. 

Employers should start preparing now for the new guidance as many current anti-harassment policies may not go as far as the EEOC believes the policies should go and, in some cases, the guidance is contrary to existing case law. For example, the guidance broadly considers conduct occurring in a non-work related context as part of a hostile work environment and states that harassing conduct may include conduct that is not directed at the complaining party and/or occurs outside his or her presence. The guidance also requires interactive training and, most alarmingly, the EEOC urges employers to conduct civility and bystander training! Finally, the concept of implicit bias, without more evidence of bias, is creeping more and more into lawsuits against employees.

Join us for an eye-opening presentation addressing topics such as:

  • What is the current definition of harassment in the workplace and how broad are protections prohibiting harassment
  • What is implicit bias and can you avoid it from impacting workplace decisions
  • How gender roles, gender identity and stereotyping impact these claims
  • Why not all training is equal – you could be doing training the EEOC deems ineffective and insufficient
  • How are the guidelines different than case law and which rules should employers follow

Speakers: Donna K. McElroy, Member, Dykema Cox Smith; Ramon D. Bissmeyer, Member, Dykema Cox Smith

(Speakers are Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization)

Friday, August 11, 2017
Two session times offered: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  or 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Dykema Cox Smith
Weston Centre
112 E. Pecan Street, Suite 1800
San Antonio, TX 78205

Click Here to Register

Parking: Complimentary guest parking is available only in the Lower Level Parking Garage of the Weston Centre accessible from either Soledad or Pecan Streets.

Please contact Donna Rogers at 210.554.5467 or drogers@dykema.com if you have questions.

CLE accreditation is anticipated for Texas, California and Illinois. Assistance with other jurisdictions is available.