Managing Internal and External Discrimination Complaints

Session I: Managing Discrimination Complaints Inside An Organization

This session focuses on the life of a discrimination/harassment complaint inside the workplace, from the first report through resolution. Attendees will examine how allegations typically surface (formal complaints, manager reports, anonymous hotlines), the employer’s immediate obligations, and best practices for launching and conducting a legally defensible internal investigation. The program will cover investigator selection, scoping the investigation, interviewing witnesses, evaluating credibility, effective documentation, and communicating outcomes. Special attention will be given to retaliation risk, interim measures, and how internal decision-making can be a benefit or liability during external proceedings. The session emphasizes practical guidance for minimizing liability while maintaining trust, fairness, and compliance.

Session II: The External Process for Resolving Discrimination Claims

This session traces how discrimination/harassment allegations may unfold outside the organization, exploring the strategic paths claims commonly take after (or alongside) an internal process. Attendees will walk through demand letters, administrative charges, agency investigations, mediation, and litigation, including how and when cases resolve—or escalate. The presentation examines inflection points that influence outcomes, such as responses to demands, position statements, discovery, and settlement options. Practical insights will be shared on assessing risk, managing costs, preserving defenses, and aligning legal strategy with business objectives. The session concludes with an overview of resolution options and lessons learned for preventing the next claim.

PRESENTERS

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Matthew J. Camardella, J.D., Principal, Long Island, JacksonLewis

Matthew Camardella is a principal in the Long Island, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Matt directs the preparation of thousands of AAPs each year and has defended hundreds of OFCCP audits for a broad range of employers across the country.

He also serves as the practice group lead on responding to OFCCP allegations of class-based discrimination and has litigated against the Agency before the Office of Administrative Law Judges. He regularly counsels clients about the design and implementation of company-wide AAP structures, applicant flow tracking systems, and other complex “real world” compliance issues.

Matt spends significant time advising clients on their compensation practices and directing pay equity analyses. He assists employers with analyzing reductions-in- force for adverse impact and assessing the applicability of federal affirmative action laws in the contexts of mergers and acquisitions.

Michael A. Giarratano, J.D., Associate, Long Island, JacksonLewis

PRICE

AAAED Members: $100.00

Login to your AAAED account to apply the discount.

Non-Members: $140.00