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You have been in Human Resources or management for years. Your plate is full-too much to do and to know in your increasingly stressful job. You are expected to stay current in discrimination and harassment case law for all the federal and state protected classes. Are you current? It seems like an unending responsibility. You remember hearing something in the news about a change in the pregnancy law, but can't remember what it was. You know that the American Disabilities Act and Title VII have expanded with something called an accommodation meeting, but what does that require? You heard that a company was required to pay a plaintiff an additional $1,000,000 because the company didn't do harassment training-could that be true? You have a company wellness program and have heard that employees are suing for discrimination based on the incentives offered for those who take part in the program. And it still isn't clear as to whether you can personally be sued for the misconduct.
It is almost impossible for managers and HR professionals to stay current in the ever evolving civil rights case law due to their busy workload. As a result, discrimination and harassment may go unrecognized and allowed to continue creating a hostile work environment for employees resulting in absenteeism, turnover, loss of productivity and physical and emotional health consequences to the target and witnesses of the abuse. Failure of managers and HR professionals to recognize discrimination and harassment creates liability for the organization and costly lawsuits.
Dr. Susan Strauss is a national and international speaker, trainer and consultant. Her specialty areas include management/leadership development, organization development, communication, and harassment and bullying. She is an expert witness for discrimination and harassment lawsuits. She trains and consults with business, education, healthcare, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sector. Dr. Strauss has authored over 30 book chapters, books, and articles in professional journals. She has been featured on 20/20, CBS Evening News, and other television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles. She has her doctorate in organizational leadership, is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human services, a master’s degree in community health, and professional certificate in training and development.
