July 31, 2019

Workplace environment consultant to visit SVSU

Saginaw Valley State University will host a national expert on how to create a safe and respectful workplace environment.

Fran Sepler, president of Sepler & Associates, will serve as keynote speaker during two 90-minute sessions Thursday, Aug. 1, at Alan Ott Auditorium in SVSU’s Gilbertson Hall. A 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. meeting are free and open to the public.

Sepler & Associates is a Minneapolis-based organization that provides services and consultation aimed at solving workplace challenges relating to personnel conflicts. Known for her work in harassment prevention and workplace investigations, Sepler has developed strategies used by employers nationwide to investigate misconduct. She authored the 2008 book on the subject, “Finding the Facts: What Every Workplace Investigator Needs to Know.”

Her planned presentation at SVSU is titled, “Features or Bugs: A Loving, Critical and Irreverent Look at Organizational Approaches to Workplace Harassment and Sex Discrimination.” Sepler plans to offer analysis and challenge generations-old approaches to workplace responses to harassment and discrimination.

Sepler’s appearance is part of SVSU’s Cultural Competency Dialogues series, organized by the university’ Office of Diversity Programs to create a more inclusive workplace.

SVSU’s supportive environment for faculty and staff has resulted in the school being selected as a "Great College to Work For" for three consecutive years — 2016-18 — by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a trade publication for colleges and universities.