Constangy Webinar - Under the Microscope: How High-Profile Investigation Failures Shape Best Practices

In this webinar, Constangy partners and Investigations Practice Group co-chairs Taren Greenidge and Sasha Thaler discuss how employers can strengthen workplace investigation processes by learning from high-profile investigations that failed under legal, public, or organizational scrutiny. Through real-world examples, they explore common investigative mistakes, the risks those errors create, and practical strategies for conducting fair, thorough, and defensible workplace investigations.

How Can High-Profile Investigation Failures Help Employers Improve Their Processes?

Taren and Sasha examine notable workplace investigations that attracted public attention and litigation, highlighting where investigative processes broke down and what employers can learn from those outcomes. These examples provide valuable insight into how procedural weaknesses can create significant legal and reputational risk.

What Common Investigation Mistakes Increase Employer Liability?

Even well-intentioned investigations can be undermined by inconsistent procedures, inadequate documentation, credibility issues, poor communication, or perceived bias. The presenters discuss common pitfalls that frequently arise during workplace investigations and how they may impact subsequent litigation or agency proceedings.

What Makes a Workplace Investigation Defensible?

A defensible investigation requires more than simply gathering facts. Taren and Sasha discuss best practices for planning investigations, interviewing witnesses, evaluating evidence, documenting findings, and maintaining impartiality throughout the process.

How Can Employers Build Consistent Investigation Strategies?

Employers often face a wide range of complaints, from harassment and discrimination allegations to workplace violence concerns and misconduct investigations. The webinar explores how organizations can develop consistent investigation protocols that promote fairness, compliance, and effective risk management.

Key Takeaways for Employers

• Lessons from high-profile investigations can help strengthen internal processes
• Investigation failures often stem from procedural weaknesses rather than legal complexity
• Consistency, neutrality, and thorough documentation are critical to defensibility
• Poorly conducted investigations can increase litigation and reputational risk
• Employers should establish clear investigation protocols before issues arise

Related Resources

• Constangy Webinar - Workplace Investigations 301: Privilege, Determinations & Reporting – Getting It Right
• Constangy Clips Ep. 12 - Workplace Investigations: 3 Best Practices for Investigative Reports
• Lessons for employers conducting or outsourcing workplace investigations
• Investigations Practice Group Resources

Webinar Speakers

Taren Greenidge

Co-Chair, Investigations Practice Group

Taren represents employers in a wide range of employment matters, with a focus on litigation, compliance, and workplace investigations. She defends employers in claims involving harassment, discrimination, wage and hour disputes, leave laws, disability accommodation, and other workplace issues, and regularly advises organizations on employment law compliance, policy development, training, and sensitive internal investigations.

Sasha Thaler

Co-Chair, Investigations Practice Group

Sasha advises and defends employers on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, and employment litigation. She counsels employers on workplace policies, employee relations issues, leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment matters, and other workplace challenges. Sasha also conducts and oversees investigations involving employment discrimination, harassment, employee misconduct, and Title IX-related concerns.