by Amy Oppenheimer on October 22, 2010

Amy Oppenheimer
is a leading expert in the field of
workplace harassment and retaliation.

Co-author of the book
Investigating Workplace Harassment: How to be Fair, Thorough, and Legal.
published by the Society for Human Resource Management (2003).

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What Journalists and Workplace Investigators Have in Common

by Amy Oppenheimer on March 29, 2011

“Being right is necessary but not sufficient. We also strive to be impartial. We are agnostic as to where a story may lead; we do not go into a story with a preconceived notion. We do not manipulate or hide facts to advance an agenda. We strive to preserve our independence from political and economic interests . . .”
 Bill Keller in the Magazine section of today’s NYT. 

He was writing about journalists, and the New York Times, but substitute “investigation” with “story” and you get my own opinion on the workplace investigator’s role.  Staying impartial and avoiding any influence from others can be challenging, but it is crucial that we do so.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/magazine/mag-27lede-t.html?ref=todayspaper

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Supreme Court Gives Employers Another Reason to Do Thorough Investigations

March 15, 2011

A recent US Supreme Court decision – Staub v. Proctor Hospital, reinforces why employers need to do a truly independent investigation before taking serious disciplinary action. Staub was discharged based on his supervisor’s write-ups regarding attendance. But it turned out his supervisor had an anti-military bias and had made it difficult for Staub to take [...]

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Join Me at CAOWI’s Report Writing Seminar on March 17 or 18

March 4, 2011

Sue Ann Van Dermyden is presenting a three hour seminar on writing the investigative report.
March 17, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., JAMS ADR, 707 Wilshire Blvd., 46th Floor, Los Angeles.
March 18, 2011, 9:00 to 12:00, 1233 Preservation Park Way, Oakland.
To register go to: CAOWI
www.caowi.org
CAOWI Members $120. Sustaining Members $60. Register early–space is limited.

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Hill/Thomas redux

October 29, 2010

I keep thinking of Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas. Nineteen years ago the nation was riveted to the type of drama that unfolds before me every day. How do I, and how does the public, decide about truth telling? So often I hear people say “it’s he said/she said and so you can never determine [...]

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Juan Williams fired

October 23, 2010

Should he have been fired?  Not if that was the only thing he said.  Was it problematic?  Yes and no.  It’s good to admit fear and bias.  But to blame it on someone’s “choice to identify” as a Muslim, is a problem.  The choice not to assimilate should not make someone suspect.

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Kentucky Senate Race

October 22, 2010

What I find disturbing about the media attention to the Kentucky senate race between Rand Paul and Jack Conway is the fact the criticism of Paul’s antics, while a college student at Baylor University, focuses on whether he trivialized religion by forcing a woman to worship a god called “Aqua Buddah.”  The fact that is [...]

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