Training Gap Revealed During Investigation

During an investigation of sexual harassment allegations against a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) employee, we learned that a BIA human resources professional gave the employee’s supervisors flawed advice on how to handle the allegations. We found that the HR professional did not have formal HR training or experience in dealing with sexual harassment matters involving employees, and that the BIA’s HR staff are not required to take training on the HR aspects of sexual harassment matters.

In this management advisory, we recommend that the BIA implement a sexual harassment training requirement for its HR staff who may be advising other employees on sexual harassment issues.