Don’t Sweep It Under the Rug: How to Properly Respond to a Harassment or Bullying Complaint

September 18, 2026

December 10 @ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Virtual Event

$69

Turn a tense, high-stakes complaint into a process that protects your crew and your company.

What would you do if one of your best electricians walked into your office tomorrow with a formal complaint against their foreman? You have no HR department. No in-house lawyer. Just you, your reputation, and the sinking feeling that you are standing on a loose floorboard. Do you know exactly where to step next?

This practical half-day session gives you the step-by-step investigation framework you need—so you can lift that rug, clear out the mess, and get back to business with your integrity intact.

Why this matters: In Ontario, ignoring a complaint or botching an investigation is not just bad leadership—it is a legal liability. The Ministry of Labour expects a proper, documented response. This session is not about becoming a lawyer. It is about gaining the confidence to handle complaints the right way, the first time, so you protect your people, preserve your reputation, and keep your projects moving forward.

You will learn how to:

• Walk through the initial steps after a complaint lands on your desk: what to say, what to document, and what not to do while you gather facts
• Assess whether you can handle an investigation yourself or whether it is time to bring in a third-party investigator, saving you from costly mistakes and biased outcomes
• Conduct investigations that preserve confidentiality, weigh credibility fairly, and build a report that actually holds up if the Ministry of Labour or a tribunal comes calling
• Identify the warning signs that an investigation is going off track and course-correct before minor issues balloon into major legal liabilities
• Avoid the most common pitfalls that leave contractors exposed: delays, incomplete documentation, failing to follow your own policies, and sweeping legitimate concerns aside

You will learn how to:

• Walk through the initial steps after a complaint lands on your desk: what to say, what to document, and what not to do while you gather facts
• Assess whether you can handle an investigation yourself or whether it is time to bring in a third-party investigator, saving you from costly mistakes and biased outcomes
• Conduct investigations that preserve confidentiality, weigh credibility fairly, and build a report that actually holds up if the Ministry of Labour or a tribunal comes calling
• Identify the warning signs that an investigation is going off track and course-correct before minor issues balloon into major legal liabilities
• Avoid the most common pitfalls that leave contractors exposed: delays, incomplete documentation, failing to follow your own policies, and sweeping legitimate concerns aside

Your Guide: Zaheer Lakhani is a trusted employment lawyer with extensive experience conducting workplace investigations across Ontario. He brings real-world construction case studies to every session, so you leave with practical tools, not just legal theory.

Need to Know:

• What to bring: A pen, notepad, and any real-world questions or scenarios you want to explore. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to engage.
• Payment: Online via PayPal or Invoice.
• Cancellation: Full refund available with 4+ weeks notice; 50% refund with 2–4 weeks notice; no refund for cancellations less than 10 days before the session. Substitutions are always welcome.
• Accessibility & Questions: Contact Témoc Vega at tvega@ecao.org for any accommodations or additional information.