New laws related to employee investigations
Two new laws related to employee investigations have been signed into law:
- EHB 2020: Exempting the disclosure of names in employment investigation record (Effective July 28, 2019)
- ESHB 1692: Protecting information concerning agency employees who have filed a claim of harassment or stalking (Effective July 1, 2020)
As a result of this legislation and the increasing number of public records requests which ask for “all investigations” or “all complaints” of sexual harassment/misconduct, it has become increasingly important to centralize investigation processes. Departments must partner with UW Human Resources when they investigate a complaint alleging a violation of Executive Order 31 (the University policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation) that involves staff or academic student employees. Please contact your HR consultant in advance of beginning an investigation.
UWHR’s Complaint Resolution web page has been updated to clarify this requirement.
When employees choose to have UCIRO investigate their complaint, UCIRO is responsible for compliance with public records requests for the investigation records.