When to Initiate an Investigation with Leah Stiegler

In episode 187, Coffey talks with Leah Stiegler about best practices for the intake process for workplaceinvestigations.They discuss when employers must investigate complaints versus when they can decline; examples ofinvestigations that revealed unexpected findings; handling confidentiality requests from complainants;documentation requirements for complaints and investigations; managing employees who don't wantformal investigations; proper record retention practices.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For moreinformation about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us athttps://imperativeinfo.com.If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visithttps://goodmorninghr.com.About our Guest:Leah can walk employers through any workplace situation. From complex personnel matters, toimplementing client-specific performance management practices, Leah advises employers to navigatethese issues to keep them out of court. Her counseling covers the entire employment spectrum:recruitment, onboarding, workplace culture, pay equity audits, RIFs, terminations and severancepackages. Leah handles workplace investigations and defends actions before administrative agenciessuch as the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB. Leah has extensive litigation experience, defending employers in stateand federal court on claims including but not limited to: Breach of employment agreementsHarassment, discrimination, and retaliation (Title VII) Whistleblower complaints ADA or religious-basedfailure to accommodate claims FMLA non-compliance Workplace violence and negligent supervisionFLSA unpaid overtime, misclassification and off-the-clock claims Workplace safety, OSHA, or VOSHactions.Leah also represents employers navigating union issues, labor relations arbitrations and collectivebargaining. Every workforce loves Leah's dynamic public speaking style. Having traveled the Mid-Atlanticto train front-line employees, upper management, HR and other industry professionals, Leah createscustom workforce training programs with her team and has fun doing it!Leah also maintains a higher education practice. She provides day-to-day compliance advice to publicand private higher ed institutions on employment and student-related matters. These include navigatingTitle VII, Title IX, and code of conduct investigations, faculty, administrative, and athletic coach contractsand severance packages, tenure and promotion processes, and pay equity audits. Leah also trains schoolleadership, such as Deans and Chairs, on improving documentation and engaging in performancemanagement of faculty.To see Leah in action, check out What's the Tea in L&E!Leah is perpetually single with lots of free time to fine-tune her stand-up comedy routine. When not inthe office, you can find Leah crossing up (and trash talking) opponents on the basketball court or bustingout a less-technical, overly passionate Moon Walk at hip hop class.Leah Stiegler can be reached athttps://www.woodsrogers.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-stiegler-28aa7a62/About Mike Coffey:Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, andregistered yoga teacher.In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averseclients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporateclients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more privateestates, family offices, and personal service agencies.Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business ofthe year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, whereeach week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers,shareholders, and community.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized asthe North Texas HR Professional of the Year.Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, wherehe serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; theTexas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of theTalent Committee.Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Instituteand a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher(RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week.Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.Learning Objectives:1. Identify when informal complaints trigger an organization's duty to investigate2. Develop effective intake procedures that protect both the organization and complainant whilemaintaining appropriate documentation3. Implement systematic investigation processes that follow proper scope and documentationprotocols regardless of complaint severity