Understanding Sexual Harassment Investigations in Massachusetts

Information About Sexual Harassment Investigations

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has published guidelines to inform employers of their obligations to investigate reports of sexual harassment. Most importantly, these guidelines make clear that employers must investigate all allegations in a fair and expeditious manner, in a way that maintains confidentiality to the greatest extent practicable.

Understanding the Conduct of an Investigation

The employer’s investigation should include interviews of the victim, the alleged harasser and any witnesses. The investigation should also include a review of any documents, recordings, photographs, voicemails, e-mails, telephone records, or text messages that may be relevant to the allegations of harassment. It is important for the victim to identify all witnesses and to provide the investigator with copies of any documents that prove that the harassment occurred.

Confidentiality is Not Always Possible

While an employee’s claim of sexual harassment will be kept as confidential as possible, a victim must be aware that it may not be possible to withhold her identity from the alleged harasser. Under typical circumstances, the investigator cannot obtain a statement from the alleged harasser without disclosing the name of the person who has made the complaint. However, when this occurs, the investigator should inform the alleged harasser that the employer will not tolerate any retaliation against the victim or anyone else who cooperates with the investigation.

Here's What Happens During the Investigation…

Particularly if the victim requests it, or if there are concerns about the victim’s safety, the employer should take action to separate her from the alleged harasser while the investigation is conducted. However, in doing so, the employer must be sure that action taken to separate them does not amount to retaliation against the victim.  Under most circumstances, transferring the victim or placing her on leave, unless she requested it, is inappropriate.

Here's What Happens after the Investigation Has Been Completed…

Once the investigation has been completed, the employer should inform the complaining employee and the alleged harasser of its findings. If the employer concludes that sexual harassment has occurred, the employer must take prompt and appropriate remedial action to end the offending conduct and to prevent future harassment. This action may include disciplinary action against the harasser.