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This practical and interactive course has been designed to give participants, whether an HR Advisor or an experienced senior manager, the confidence to conduct effective investigations in a fair, professional and timely manner, aligned with policies, procedures and best practice. The session will explore in detail the logistics of the investigation process which includes asking difficult questions & analysis of evidence provided.
Course Context
Serious complaints and grievance cases of bullying or harassment require a full and formal investigation which must be both prompt and professional. Inappropriate handling of such complaints can lead to lengthy, costly disputes and possible tribunals. Those who are tasked with investigating such cases need to be confident in their role and equipped with both the expertise and the essential soft skills to ensure they can resolve cases fairly and consistently.
Who Is It For?
The course is suitable for any member of an HR or management team who has responsibility for interviewing the parties involved in a serious complaint or grievance investigation.
Please note, at present, this course can only be delivered in London and the South of England.
Key Benefits
This interactive course will be adapted to meet the needs of the participants and will include discussion and sharing of best practice. Due to the expertise and experience of the facilitator, queries will be responded to in a sensitive and understanding manner. The training style and method will model the concept of respect and dignity.
During this course, participants will:
- Draw on the knowledge and expertise of the trainer
- Focus on productive staff relations and effective service delivery
- Consider the value of effective interaction skills
- Include case law, anecdotes, vignettes and anonymous ‘true life’ situations
- Work within the frame of legislation and organisational policies
Course Content
The course will focus on both the practical aspects of conducting the investigation as well as the ensuing evaluation once the investigation has taken place. The delivery will consist of a combination of formal lecture, small and large group discussions, case studies and pre-course reading.
Conducting Investigations
- Identifying what an investigation is
- Time frame for conducting investigations, in line with the policy
- Who would be involved
- The role of an investigator
- Concerns and examples of good practice
- Stages of the investigation process
- Consideration of the 5 stages during the investigation process:
- from receiving the formal grievance to writing the final report
- this section will focus on the practical aspects of conducting an investigation
Conducting investigations (continued)
- Interviews:
- Practical/ challenging questions for all parties concerned
- Do’s and don’ts of asking questions - Setting the scene/gathering evidence
- Facts vs emotions
- What to include in the final report
Evaluation
- Re-visit individual learning objectives
- Transfer of learning back to the workplace
- Priorities for action
A Recent Delegate Comment regarding the How to Conduct Professional Investigations in the Workplace Course:
Related Training Courses
Bullying in the Workplace: Training for Managers
This course gives those with managerial responsibility an understanding of bullying in the workplace and provides an opportunity to discuss good practice in a relaxed, flexible manner with plenty of opportunities for questions and answers.
Bullying in the Workplace: Be Aware!
This course raises awareness of what bullying and harassment is and when it is taking place. It also covers the responsibilities of all those involved together with actions which should be taken if you believe you are being bullied or harassed.
Tackling Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment can have a range of serious physical and psychological impacts for those who experience it. This course both equips those who are harassed with the confidence to speak out and disarms those who perpetrate the harassment by making them aware of inappropriate behaviours.
Find out more
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions. We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."
"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."
"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."
"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"
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