Learn how to investigate discrimination complaints

The CNMI Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management will be focusing on discrimination complaints at its first meeting for 2017.

The January SHRM meeting will also include a brief ceremony for the recognition and installation of the SHRM CNMI Chapter’s 2017 board of directors. The Eucon International University will also highlight its upcoming hospitality training program.

The lunch meeting will be held at the Pacific Islands Club Charley’s on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, from 11:30am to 1:30pm. This meeting is on Friday, not the normal Thursday schedule.

The presentation includes the PIC lunch buffet at $20 for SHRM members and $30 for non-members. Seats are limited, so reserve your seat by contacting Penny Jones by e-mail at penny.jones@hyattsaipan.com or by telephone at 323-5868. 

Glenn A. Jewell at the Rexford C. Kosack Law Office will speak on how to properly conduct internal investigations of discrimination complaints. A graduate of George Washington University, Jewell began his association with the Commonwealth as an assistant attorney general from 1992 to 1993. He is a member of the CNMI Bar Association. Jewell will address the full process of handling an employee’s discrimination complaint. He will provide guidance on establishing a workable complaint process, the value of a thorough initial review and the importance of selecting an experienced investigator, how to conduct the interview and evidence gathering process, prepare the report and take the appropriate action, if any is required. This program will be of special interest to all HR professionals and managers, providing them with guidance to help them deal with discrimination complaints, when and if received. 

The SHRM’s CNMI Chapter board is composed of Esther Ada, president; Frank Ada, vice president; Denise Montenegro, treasurer; Catherine Cachero, secretary; Penny Jones, director/membership chair; Vanessa Deleon Guerrero, director/program chair; and Josephine Mesta, immediate past-president. Frank Gibson, founding member and first Chapter president, will conduct the installation.

Dr. Christian Wei, president of Eucon International University, will talk about the university’s upcoming hospitality training program with the Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health from Taiwan. CKU will send an award winning team of trainers to conduct the Feb. 6-17 program here in the CNMI. Wei says that this is just the beginning of Eucon’s contribution to provide higher education assistance to the tourism, hotel and restaurant business in the CNMI.

All presentations are open to the public and will be an invaluable opportunity for employers and HR professionals and staff to better understand the importance of handling discrimination complaints properly. Jewell will provide an opportunity for questions.

SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, and more than 575 affiliated chapters. The NMI Chapter is affiliated with the national organization.  For more information about the NMI Chapter, you can visit their website at http://nmichapter.shrm.org.