Marilou F. Mirkovich is a partner in the Cerritos office of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo. She represents employers in all aspects of labor relations and employment law. Ms. Mirkovich focused on defending discrimination claims in federal and state courts and handles matters pending before the EEOC, DFEH, and FEHC. In addition to her employment practice, Ms. Mirkovich serves as the firm's lead investigator on numerous public and private sector matters. She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Community Family Guidance Center. She has been an active participant in the HIV and AIDS Legal Services Alliance (HALSA). Ms. Mirkovich has also been on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
AWI President Amy Oppenheimer, Conference Co-Chair Karen Kramer, and Conference Chair Sue Ann Van Dermyden at AWI's First Annual Conference
Please click on the arrow in the window below to view our introductory video.
What is AWI?
The Association of Workplace Investigators, Inc. (AWI), formerly known as CAOWI, is a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation which was established in California on May 6, 2009. Its specific purpose is to promote and enhance workplace investigations. AWI's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and other corporate documents are posted on the Corporate Documents page of this website. On September 25, 2009, AWI held its first Board meeting in Sacramento and elected its Officers and Directors and appointed an Executive Director. The names, photographs, and biographical summaries of the current members of the Board of Directors are posted on the AWI Board page of this website. AWI currently has over 270 members, in California and in several other states in the United States. AWI had its first annual conference in November, 2010, which was attended by over 160 workplace investigators.
Why did we form AWI?
Workplace investigations are conducted by various professionals–internal HR professionals, private investigators, internal auditors, loss prevention specialists, in-house counsel, attorneys who work as neutrals, attorneys who litigate but are acting as an investigator for the purposes of this investigation, outside consultants with HR backgrounds, etc. Often the method and outlook of the investigator is the same, regardless of professional background; sometimes it differs. As one board member put it, the profession lacks a center. AWI will provide that center by providing a common set of practice principles and a professional organization affiliation for all of us who do workplace investigations. AWI will increase the professionalism of our work by developing best practices for investigations, writing and publishing articles about investigations, providing a forum for members to ask questions and learn from each other (both electronically and in person), and providing training for investigators.
What has AWI done in its first year?
We have established a listserv for our members to share information, sponsored three Best Practices roundtables, two training seminars, and our first annual conference, provided a forum for publishing articles in our AWI Quarterly, formed a Best Practices Committee and 8 other committees, and publicized that workplace investigators are members of a distinct profession.
What has AWI done in its second year and what are AWI's plans for the future?
In 2011, AWI conducted several live seminars, a series of six webinars, and its second annual conference in Southern California. In 2012, AWI will provide additional educational programs throughout the year, as well as its third annual conference to be held in Northern California. In addition, we are presenting a national-level, intensive Training Institute for Workplace Investigators in beautiful San Diego, California. Upon completion of this challenging program, we will certify that the participant has completed what promises to become the gold standard for training in our industry. The Best Practices Committee continued its pioneering work of attempting to reach consensus on Best Practices in workplace investigations, including sponsoring Best Practices Roundtables for AWI members only. The Best Practices Committee is about to publish for comment its first draft of proposed Guiding Principles for Workplace Investigators, so be sure to check back with us. The AWI Formation Committee and the Board of Directors has succeeded in broadening our membership base beyond California, and will continue efforts to make AWI a global professional organization for workplace investigators. The Membership Committee gathered and has posted sample forms to AWI members only on the AWI website, and will continue to increase its form bank for members. The Ethics Committee continues its study and production of white papers on ethical issues in workplace investigations. The Publications Committee will continue to publish the AWI Quarterly for AWI members only. The Legislation Committee will continue to research and inform AWI members of legislative and policy issues important to workplace investigators. And AWI members will continue to grow closer as a community by using the networking opportunities available within AWI, including the local circles of colleagues throughout the country, and the AWI Listservs.
How to join AWI?
AWI is a professional organization for people who conduct workplace investigations and also for those interested in workplace investigations. A membership application form can be accessed through the Join AWI page of this website. You may complete it online, pay by credit card or check, and become a member immediately. If your company or organization does not support electronic payments, you can complete the form online and mail your dues check. Annual dues are $150. We hope that you will consider becoming an annual sustaining member at $1,000. Dues for additional sustaining members in the same company or organization are $500 each. Sustaining Members are listed prominently on our website. More importantly, you will be providing seed money for AWI and helping to ensure a productive future for the organization. AWI's first 100 members are identified as Charter Members in our Online Membership Directory.
What is an Associate Member?
AWI has both regular and associate members. Regular members are those who are licensed attorneys, licensed private investigators and/or persons working in-house for an employer and doing investigations exclusively for that employer. Associate members are those who do not fit into one of those categories. The cost and benefits are the same for all members. Just because someone is listed as a member of AWI does not necessarily mean that they are qualified to conduct workplace investigations.
How can I get involved in an AWI Committee?
AWI has established eight advisory committees, each of which will consists of a maximum of 12 AWI members including a Chair, who is a Director, all appointed by the President. The name, chair, and scope of activities of each of the advisory committees are posted in the Committees section of this website. Because of the limited number of positions available on our advisory committees, if you are interested in serving on an advisory committee we encourage you to promptly submit your membership application and then e-mail us at info@aowi.org and let us know of your interest.
President's Article
For more information about AWI, please read this article by our President. We hope you will join us, and look forward to working with you!
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