Page 50 - An Indispensible Resource for Being a Credible Activist

Effective Communication
Corporate Citizenship

CHECKLIST OF JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE
CREDIBLE ACTIVIST TO ASK THE COMPANY

QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO ASK PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS

1. Does the HR position have a private office?
2. Does the company have a Chief Compliance Officer? If that is someone other
than the HR Director or VP, who is that person, and what is the relationship
between the head of HR and the Chief Compliance Officer? Is there a Privacy
Officer? Who is that?
3. Does the company have written policies in the form of a clear and up-to-date
employee handbook that has been reviewed by attorneys?
4. Does the company truly support policies regarding preventing and responding
promptly and soundly to any EEO or other Employee Relations complaints?
5. Does the company truly welcome complaints and want to know what is going on
in the workplace so it can be aware of, address, and prevent future incidents?
6. Does the company have a workplace violence prevention policy that it also takes
seriously? Is HR responsible for this?
7. Does the company have an investigation policy?
8. Who will conduct investigations? Does whoever conducts investigations have
training in conducting sound unbiased investigations that avoid any conflicts
of interest?

9. Are there procedures in place for having third-party external experienced
consultants conduct investigations in the event that there would be a conflict of
interest in having internal attorneys or HR personnel conduct an investigation?
Is there a realistic budget for this?
10. Is there a lawyer in the HR department? If so, what is that person’s role?
11. Is there a General Counsel for the company? If so, what is that person’s role?
12. Is the General Counsel someone with employment law experience?

13. If not, is the General Counsel someone with HR experience or any SHRM or other
HR training?
14. Is the General Counsel’s role to ensure that the company is compliant with all
relevant city, state, and federal employment laws or is the General Counsel’s role
to cover up any possible complaints and protect the company at all costs?

CHAPTER 3 • The Credible Activist at W ork 33