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Why Human Resourses Protect

Written by: Amy Menke

Article Overview: HR departments are established to protect workers and companies.

Why Human Resourses Protect

Today I received a phone call from a small company that has less than 50 employees. The small company had a harassment claim that needed to be investigated (This of course turned into 3 previous claims of harassment, intimidation and creating a hostile work environment). In looking at the employee files, I discovered that Employee A had made several claims against Employee B regarding verbal abuse that had occurred over a 4 week period. Employee B would become verbally abuse when someone made a mistake and would yell and scream at anyone who crossed her path. Employee B already had prior claims from other employees and had been to sensitivity training. She received a verbal and written warning and would be terminated if the violent and abuse behavior did not stop. Employee B decided not to follow the corrective active plan and new charges were filed. The last report of her behavior involved threatening Employee A while holding a small kitchen knife in her hand. Management called in an HR professional to terminate the abusive employee.

No one really likes to deal with Human Resources but HR departments are established to protect employees as well as companies. State and Federal laws need to be followed regarding harassment and other laws that protect civil rights. There are no points for second place and if rules and regulations are not followed everyone loses.

The company had protected itself against possible litigation from Employee B because a corrective action had been established and followed. All of the company’s rules and state and federal laws had been posted in the employee handbook that all employees receive on the first week of employment. Harassment of any kind needs to be addressed and appropriate action is required. Everyone needs to check to see what the employment laws are for each state.

For example, in the state of Illinois, employees can be terminated at any time and no reason has to be given. Illinois is employment at will. Companies only open themselves up to litigation if they give a reason for termination if policies are rules are not followed. I have terminated several people over the past 12 years. I always had plenty of documentation to support why an employee had been terminated. Documentation is the key to a successful work environment. Policies need to be written and enforced to protect everyone.

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Article Tags: civil rights, corrective action, employee handbook, employment laws, harassment claim, hostile work environment, hr departments, human resources, illinois employees, intimidation, kitchen knife, litigation, mistake, phone call, sensitivity training, state of illinois, verbal abuse, written warning



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