EEOC Approved Sexual Harassment Investigation Interview Questions

Do employees feel safe at work and how can employers address their anxieties? 

It’s not easy to investigate claims of potential harassment in the workplace. You’re dealing with highly sensitive situations, and you need to ask the right questions to get to the heart of the matter. The following interview template is designed to do just that.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. You can customize the questions to fit a specific situation and you should avoid “leading” questions and comments. Finally, remember that your documentation could become part of legal proceedings, and it’s important to maintain the fact-finding intent of your company’s investigation.

Note: The roles of employees reporting alleged sexual harassment can be difficult to ascertain at the outset, and depending on the circumstances.

Example: An employee reports having observed what they think is sexual harassment, and is offended by the incident or behavior. We would typically categorize this employee as a third party. However, if the employee who is perceived to be the “victim” of the alleged harassment does not make a complaint, and the original reporting party (what we might call the third party) confirms that they were offended and maintains there is an issue of sexual harassment – then that third party can become the complainant.

It’s rare that the alleged harasser takes on a different role in the investigation. However, it can happen, particularly in cases where they make a counter-complaint against the “victim” or complainant or the third party who may have reported the incident.

Best practice: You may find that the following questions will fluctuate between the parties. Adjust your interview questions accordingly.

Questions to Ask the Complainant:

• Who, what, when, where, and how: Who committed the alleged harassment? What exactly occurred or was said?
• When did it occur and is it still ongoing? Where did it occur? How often did it occur? How did it affect you?
• How did you react? What response did you make when the incident(s) occurred or afterwards?
  How did the harassment affect you? Has your job been affected in any way?
• Are there any persons who have relevant information? Was anyone present when the alleged harassment occurred? Did you tell anyone about it? Did anyone see you immediately after episodes of alleged harassment?
• Did the person who harassed you harass anyone else? Do you know whether anyone complained about harassment by that person?
• Are there any notes, physical evidence, or other documentation regarding the incident(s)?
• How would you like to see the situation resolved?
• Do you know of any other relevant information?
  

Download EEOC – Approved Sexual Harassment Investigation Interview Questions to learn more.