Academy Workshop - Getting Workplace Investigations Right

Workplace investigations shouldn’t be a box‑ticking exercise. This webinar offers a practical, structured overview of what good looks like when concerns arise, whether the issue is conduct, performance/capability, a grievance, discrimination or whistleblowing.

We will work through the core building blocks: deciding when a formal investigation is needed, setting a clear scope and Terms of Reference, appointing an appropriate investigator and keeping roles distinct. We will cover proportionate evidence gathering (including digital material), protecting confidentiality and evidential integrity, and interviewing witnesses in a fair, consistent way, using open questions and clear documentation. We will also touch on assessing conflicting accounts and producing an objective report that supports the next stage of the process.

To close, we will share a quick-fire “top 10” watchlist of the pitfalls that most often cause delay, drift, challenge, so you can spot potential issues early and keep investigations on track.

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Set out clear Terms of Reference for an investigation, scope, key timescales, and the investigator’s role
• Identify appropriate sources of evidence and explain how to ensure documentation (including digital material) accurate, secure, and confidential.
• Use effective investigation interviewing techniques, including asking open and probing questions, avoiding leading questions, and creating clear, reliable meeting notes.
• Assess different or conflicting accounts fairly and produce a clear investigation report that stays within the agreed Terms of Reference, while recognising common pitfalls that undermine investigations.
• Recognise the key principles of a fair workplace investigation, including the investigator’s fact finding role, the importance of confidentiality, and remaining unbiased.

Speakers:

Siân Cash-Roberts, Business Development Manager, HF Limited

James Taylor, Head of Investigations, Investigations By Design Limited

Pippa Whitty, Investigator, Investigations By Design Limited