[SMB Essentials] How to handle employee complaints - the LEGAL kind

Complaints from employees can be intimidating for any leader, but especially in an SMB where you don't have HR or anyone in HR with this kind of depth.

This episode breaks down the immediate steps you must take when an employee brings forward an alarming complaint to avoid legal issues and protect your organization.

You need to know which kinds of complaints come with legal obligations and which don't and then how to avoid making the situation worse.

Key Takeaways:

5️⃣ 5 steps during the initial complaint meeting.

🇨🇦 vs 🇺🇸: Key differences between Canada and the US around which complaints trigger your obligation to investigate

🤔 How to determine if you can handle an investigation internally or if you must hire an outside expert.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Common mistakes leaders make, including "gut-feeling" decisions and mediation traps.

00:00 Five steps for the initial meeting

01:25 Categorizing the three types of complaints

04:00 US vs. Canada: Legal trigger words

05:18 When you are obligated to investigate

08:40 Formal vs. informal complaint triggers

09:30 Internal vs. external investigator criteria

12:45 Advice for self-led investigations

13:40 Common mistakes to avoid

**Find Andrea (me)**

Email: andrea@thehrhub.ca

Website: https://thehrhub.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-adams1/