#WorkplaceHarassment – What @Employers Need to Know in the Age of Social Media

Workplace harassment claims present an area of concern for all employers. Businesses are well aware that a harassment claim can lead to both public embarrassment and significant costs and distraction. And while many companies have already implemented policies that attempt to detect and deter harassment within the physical workplace, many employers are unaware that liability for harassment claims can also stem from employees’ use (and misuse) of social media and other electronic communication tools – even when the actions at issue are taken outside of the workplace and during non-working hours.

In this course, Tannenbaum Helpern employment attorneys Jason B. Klimpl and Joseph D. Lockinger discuss best practices that employers can utilize to help minimize harassment risks in the age of social media. Specifically, Jason and Joseph highlight cases where courts have interpreted an employer’s legal obligations to protect against workplace harassment claims derived from the actions of its employees on social media or other electronic means. The presenters also provide a general update on the statutes that govern workplace harassment at the local, state, and federal levels, and discuss how employers should go about implementing policies and practices to conduct internal investigations and avoid costly employee lawsuits. 

1. Understand the fundamentals of workplace harassment laws
2. Recognize best practices that employers can adopt to mitigate the risks of employees’ use of social media and other electronic communication methods inside and outside the workplace
3. Develop and implement policies and practices to address internal complaints and avoid employee lawsuits
4. Identify recent regulations and case law affecting employers in this area generally