What Happens After a Report of Alleged Harassment?

By Human Capital

Information regarding the situation will be collected at the time the report of alleged harassment is made. The act of reporting alleged harassment initiates the process outlined below:

Within One Business Day of Receiving Report

Supervisor(s)/Management Official(s) in consultation with the servicing Employee Relations Specialist and the Harassment Duty Attorney (Solicitor’s Office/Employment and Labor Law Unit, SOL/ELLU) will…

Determine the following:

Conduct at issue
Who may be involved
If there is a security risk
If interim measures are needed to ensure safety, security, and the alleged harassing conduct ceases
Conflicts of interest of senior-level officials
Notify Appropriate Supervisor(s)/Management Official(s)

Within Three Business Days of Receiving Report

Supervisor(s)/Management Official(s) in consultation with the servicing Employee Relations Specialist and the Harassment Duty Attorney (SOL/ELLU) will…

Determine if further investigation is necessary
Determine who will conduct the investigation

If it’s determined an investigation is necessary, then the servicing Employee Relations Specialist will initiate the investigation process within two business days of the determination to investigate.

NOTE: There is no set time for completing an investigation and the timeframe for completing the investigation will depend of the unique circumstances of each case.

Fact-Finding Report of Investigation Completed

If there is a finding of misconduct, then corrective action is necessary
If there is no finding of misconduct, then supervisor/management official drafts a memorandum detailing why no corrective action is needed

Notifications After Completion of Investigative Process

The alleged victim and alleged harasser (if appropriate) will receive closeout memos at the conclusion of the investigative process. In addition, the alleged victim and alleged harasser may inquire as to the status of the case at any time during the process and will be provided information to the extent permitted under the Privacy Act. The alleged victim may not be provided the outcome of any corrective/disciplinary action taken against the alleged harasser and may not be provided a copy of the fact-finding Report of Investigation.

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