February Double Feature! >> Conducting Workplace Investigations & You're Not the Boss of Me!

CCCEAC's February Webinar is a double feature!

"Conducting Workplace Investigations"

California law obligates employers to investigate all employee complaints involving potentially unlawful behavior, no matter how minor that complaint might be. How can the employer determine when the complaint is serious enough to involve unlawful behavior, and when an investigation is required? If an investigation is required, who should conduct it? What should be asked? How should it be finalized?

In this informative seminar, employment law attorney Jonathan Fraser Light will discuss the employer's obligations in responding to and investigating employee complaints. Topics will include the following:

• Recognizing employee complaints
• Knowing when to investigate a complaint
• Determining who should be investigating the complaint
• Who should be included in the investigation?
• What questions should be asked?
• What do I do with the complainant and accused while I'm investigating?
• Is it confidential?
• Do I need an attorney?
• What do I say to witnesses?
• What shouldn't I say?
• How do I bring it to a close?
• What do I tell the participants?
• What do I tell the complainant?
• What do I tell the accused?
• Should I record it?
• Where do I keep the files?
• Do I have to share my files?
• Training your supervisors
• Recommended and required policies

"You’re Not the Boss of Me! Effective Management of Employees”

Workplace productivity and morale depend in large part upon the quality and skill of your supervisors. A common mistake is to promote the "best" or "most senior" employee to a supervisory position, with little regard for leadership skills. Once in the position, most supervisors are not trained on effective management techniques to motivate and evaluate employees.

Employment law attorney Jonathan Fraser Light will discuss the effective and lawful supervision of California employees.

• What key qualities should you look for in a supervisor?
• Motivating employees
• Counseling and disciplining employees
• Evaluations (annual and periodic)
• The "coaching" model of supervision
• Proper wording in disciplinary memos
• Easy documentation (really!)
• Using probationary status and PIPs effectively
• When the employee blames everyone else
• When termination is the only answer

About the Speaker:

Jon Light has more than 30 years of experience in the field of employment law, is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has been named multiple times as one of Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” by Los Angeles Magazine. As the managing attorney at LightGabler, Jon and his team members consult with more than 2,000 companies throughout California regarding their day-to-day employment law needs.

Jon has successful jury trial, court trial, appellate, Labor Commission and binding arbitration results in lawsuits and administrative claims involving wrongful termination, sexual harassment, race discrimination, class action, wage & hour, and other employment related matters. He has also appeared on behalf of employers with the federal EEOC and Labor Department, the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the National Labor Relations Board, and other government agencies involved with employment law issues.

Jon frequently speaks to employer and human resources groups, including Employer Advisory Councils (EACs), PIHRA, NHRA, and numerous business associations such as CPA forums, manufacturers associations, Dental and Medical Societies, and Chambers of Commerce. He lectures on topics such as avoiding sexual harassment claims, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, performance documentation, business and employment law pitfalls, supervisor strategies, employment law updates, and preparing employee handbooks.

Jon is a graduate of the UCLA School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is the author of two editions of the nationally acclaimed and award winning book, The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball, for which he had a year-long 15 minute weekly radio broadcast. He resides in Camarillo with his wife of 37 years, Angela, a public school teacher. Their twin daughters are based on the east coast after attending college there, although they each work or attend graduate school abroad.