Announcement: BCM Coaching Day – Suspected Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (“MeToo”) – From Report to Legally Sound Decision

Sexual harassment in the workplace is an issue that is often underestimated in compliance practice – until a specific suspected case arises. Then the first few hours are decisive: those who act quickly and investigate with the necessary sensitivity and with a view to the possible (criminal) legal consequences protect those affected, minimise liability risks and ensure a sound basis for decision-making. Those who hesitate or proceed unsystematically risk escalation, reputational damage and vulnerability under employment law.

At this BCM Coaching Day, Dr. Oliver Pragal (Attorney at Law, Pragal Rechtsanwälte) and Kristina Konrad (Attorney at Law/Salary Partner, Pragal Rechtsanwälte) of Pragal Rechtsanwälte, together with Arne Killmer (Attorney at Law, Renneberg) of Renneberg Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, will show you how an internal investigation into suspected sexual harassment is professionally structured, conducted in a legally sound manner and consistently seen through to its conclusion.

Key topics of the event:

• Relevance and risk situation: why the issue affects every company
• Legal framework: German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG), data protection and criminal law aspects
• Typical case scenarios: verbal, digital, non-verbal and physical harassment
• Initial response to reports: protective measures, confidentiality, immediate communication
• Responsibilities and investigation mandate: interaction between HR, compliance, legal, the works council and management
• Conducting the investigation: securing evidence, interviewing those affected, witness interviews, hearing the accused person
• Dealing with difficult evidential situations: one person’s word against another’s, false accusations, unresolved suspicions
• Consequences and prevention: deciding on measures, rehabilitation, policy and training concept

You will receive a concise overview of the entire process – from the initial response to the final decision on measures – and take away tried-and-tested recommendations for your organisation.

The event is specifically aimed at compliance managers, HR managers, works council members, in-house lawyers and all executives who need to be able to act immediately and in a legally sound manner in an emergency.

As a supporting partner of the Professional Association of Compliance Managers (BCM), we very much look forward to welcoming the association’s members and other interested colleagues to Hamburg for a personal and professional exchange. You can register for the event here. As the number of participants is limited, we kindly ask you to register early.

Venue: Pragal Rechtsanwälte, Brooktorkai 20, 20457 Hamburg

A map with directions to the venue can be found here.

Key details at a glance