Take Note

The #MeToo movement has made headline news over the past few years and more recently has caused California lawmakers to spring into action. Two substantive changes to California law went into effect earlier this year that provide increased protection against harassment for California employees. Workplace investigators are now seeing a notable consequence of these legislative …

Continue reading “California’s Response to the #MeToo Movement Has Increased the Need for Workplace Investigations”

The #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault gained momentum in October 2017 on the heels of sexual misconduct allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein. In the months following #MeToo, companies and organizations in all industries and sectors have seen a profound, unprecedented and persistent uptick in the number of reported employee complaints.  #MeToo …

Continue reading “Has #MeToo Changed Workplace Investigations?”

The California Court of Appeal recently confirmed an important principle for attorney workplace investigators and their clients: a workplace investigation conducted pursuant to an attorney-client relationship is privileged although the attorney workplace investigator’s role is limited to factual findings and does not extend to providing legal advice. See City of Petaluma v. Superior Court of …

Continue reading “California Court of Appeal Confirms Privilege for Attorney Workplace Investigations”

The Bay Area’s tech, venture capital, legal and workplace investigator communities have all been closely watching Ellen Pao’s gender discrimination and retaliation suit against Kleiner Perkins unfold over the last few weeks. If you haven’t been transfixed like I have, here is a brief recap: Pao worked as an associate partner at the prestigious venture …

Continue reading “Pao v. Kleiner Perkins : The Investigation”