Do You Know Where Your Glass Slipper Is?

Retaliation Prevention Policy Must-Have Provisions
I am looking forward to my upcoming NEW program for PIHRA's 2011 Annual Conference. It isn't too late to register. I am speaking on 2 topics: Social NOTworking and also Retaliation: Shoulda Put A Ring On It.

What I learned in researching the latter topic, is that Retaliation Prevention Policies have a Cinderella complex in most companies. The employers expect it to do all the work, by protecting it against retaliation claims, but they don't give it any glory. That means, that much like Cinderella's mean step mother expected her to keep things tidy, but didn't let her go to the ball, Retaliation Policies are usually buried deep inside a company's handbook, in two sentences at the end of the Harassment Prevention Policy. The company expects them to protect it from lawsuits, but doesn't highlight it as a stand alone policy, the way it should.

The fact is, now that Retaliation Lawsuits are the #1 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim, Cinderella need a new dress, new shoes and a white coach to take her to the ball. The bottom line is that Retaliation Prevention needs to take the center stage. In order for an employer to effectively prevent Retaliation claims and protect itself from Retaliation lawsuits, it needs a stand alone, detailed Retaliation Prevention Policy.

The Retaliation Prevention Policy should have the following iron-clad provisions:
1) It should make a stand alone commitment to a Retaliation-free workplace.
2) It should define Retaliation
3) It should give examples of Retaliatory conduct
4) It should set forth a complaint procedure
5) It should provide alternative means for making complaints
6) It should not promise confidentiality
7) It should set forth the consequences for retaliatory conduct

Here is my new Sample Retaliation Prevention Policy.* Hope to see you at the conference.

*This sample policy is not intended to be "ready for use." In addition, it is not to be construed as legal advice. I strongly encourage you to consult with a labor/employment attorney or contact me prior to using these forms within your company to ensure compliance.

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