Anatomy of an Employee Complaint: Practicing the Investigation
Conducting an HR investigation can be complicated. HR practitioners need to be mindful of what to look for, who to include, how to involve them, and when they can consider the investigation to be complete. Adding an additional layer of complexity is how to ensure the investigation doesn’t result in further complications.
Since active participation is the best way to learn the ins and outs of conducting an HR investigation, our November program will feature an interactive exercise in investigations led by Becky Neilson. Attendees will have an opportunity to formulate an investigation strategy and question the complainant, the accused, the witnesses, and others involved in the scenario, and Attorney Brian Farrington will offer his insights and answer questions as the investigation exercise unfolds.
About the presenters:
Brian Farrington
Brian T. Farrington is an Attorney, Shareholder and Section Head of the Cowles & Thompson, P.C. Employment Law Practice Group. His practice consists of transactional work advising and representing management concerning employment law. Principal practice areas are Fair Labor Standards Act and Equal Employment Opportunity laws. Also, Texas Workforce Commission unemployment eligibility, government contracts labor standards (Davis Bacon Act, Service Contract Act), OSHA 11(c), and state wage payment laws.
During Mr. Farrington’s career, he has represented hundreds of employers in investigations conducted by U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division under FLSA. He has prepared dozens of position statements annually in response to EEOC/state discrimination and harassment charges. He has additional experience in responding to complaints under OSHA 11(c), state wage payment laws. Mr. Farrington has also engaged as an expert witness in more than 50 cases in federal and state court. In the 1980’s, he was an Investigator/Compliance Officer in Chicago and later promoted to Assistant District Director in the Dallas Office of Wage-Hour where he supervised over 5,000 investigations. Mr. Farrington is noted for his exceptional ability as a speaker and trainer. He has taught sessions on the FLSA for the State Bar of Texas and Arkansas, and for the Dallas Bar Association. He has addressed groups such as the Society of Human Resource Management, the Texas Payroll Conference, attendees at AADP's "Meeting of the Minds" national conference, Ceridian Corporation's "Insights" national conference, local chapters of the Human Resources Associations, American Payroll Association, American Compensation Association, and many others.
Mr. Farrington is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association. He received his B.A. summa cum laude degree in 1973 from the University of Dallas and his M.A., degree in 1974 from the University of Chicago. He received his J.D. degree in 1994 from the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1994 and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Northern Districts of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Rebecca Neilson, PHR, SHRM-CP
Becky Neilson is the Director of Graduate Business Services and Goolsby Leadership Academy Lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington. She previously served as a Lecturer and Graduate Advisor for the MS in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) Program at UTA. Becky served in the United States Army and Army Reserve in numerous leadership positions, including Deputy Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff for the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade.
Ms. Neilson graduated from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor of Science in Personnel Administration and from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Science in Human Resource Management.
Ms. Neilson has served in numerous volunteer roles for the Society for Human Resource Management since 1998, including the role of president of Mid-Cities HR Association.
This program is pending 1.00 Professional Development Credit towards SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP through SHRM and 1.00 recertification credit towards PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through HRCI.
Mid-Cities HR Association is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.
All online reservations are due by NOON on the Monday before the meeting. Online registration will be closed at that time.
Attendees not registered online will be considered Walk-In registrations and will be charged the guest rate of $35.
Cancellations:
We regret that we must charge members and guests the cost of the event when cancellations are not received at least 48 hours prior to the event day. By submitting your registration, you agree to these conditions. We appreciate your understanding and support.
