Misconduct Investigations: When Punting Can Save the Game

A bungled investigation can quickly turn a reasonable, still employed complainant into a hurt, damaged and angry former-employee-plaintiff. --Anonymous

For Tammie C. Allen, former admin assistant to MTSU President Sidney McPhee, the unsolicited advances, kisses, groping and requests for sexual activities from her boss were less injurious than the humiliating and biased sexual harassment investigation that followed her complaint. She expressed this outrage in a civil complaint, seeking monetary redress for incurred medical expenses and "severe emotional distress, mental anguish, indignation, wounded pride, shame and despair." Among the allegations: the investigators were under the direct supervision of the alleged offender; Ms. Allen