TrainingBriefs® Keeping Complaints Confidential

Most people know that laws exist to protect employees from discrimination and harassment. However, many don't know these laws also protect employees from retaliation. Employees can retaliate against other employees - you don't have to be a manager to retaliate. In fact anyone who is aware of the protected activity can commit retaliation. And anyone who engages in a protected activity can be the target of retaliation; even managers can be subjected to retaliation if they've engaged in a protected activity.

Managers must be extremely careful in how complaints and concerns are handled. While you can't promise complete confidentiality, you should do everything possible to maintain confidentiality. You should only tell people what they need to know - when they need to know it; and only the people who have a business need to know about the protected activity should be told anything.