{"id":4731,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/how-to-handle-harassment-and-discrimination-complaints.html"},"modified":"2023-10-04T09:31:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T14:31:00","slug":"how-to-handle-harassment-and-discrimination-complaints","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/how-to-handle-harassment-and-discrimination-complaints.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Handle Harassment and Discrimination Complaints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Handle Harassment and Discrimination Complaints<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Workplace harassment and discrimination are serious matters for small business owners. Employees have the legal right to report discrimination and harassment to their employers. Employers should investigate harassment claims immediately. Small businesses may lack the resources to investigate discrimination complaints. In small companies, an investigation by the boss may make tensions worse.<\/p>\r\n

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission<\/a> (EEOC) is the federal agency that oversees employment discrimination and harassment. It has a small business resource center for smaller companies needing help handling discrimination and harassment complaints.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses ways employers can manage discrimination and harassment in the workplace and prevent complaints from rising to the level of lawsuits.<\/p>\r\n

Recognizing Harassment and Discrimination<\/h2>\r\n

Most people are familiar with sexual harassment and racial discrimination. A business owner must understand the difference between harassment and discrimination in the workplace and develop policies against each.<\/p>\r\n

Discrimination<\/a> occurs when businesses treat workers differently in hiring, firing, or other work-related activities based on immutable characteristics. These may include:<\/p>\r\n