Investigating Complaints in the Workplace

Programme Aim

This is a comprehensive and practical training programme designed to guide managers with regard to best practice investigation techniques. It is ideally suited to employees in a management role who will be responsible for or involved in conducting workplace investigations.

Programme Overview

Participants will learn the theory and partake in a serious of activites that will give them the opportunity to practice new skills and discuss issues openly thus embedding the concepts covered in the programme.

Programme Outline

Ensuring Procedural Fairness

• Disciplinary policies and procedures
• The principals of natural justice and fairness
• Fair procedures and the Employee Appeals Tribunal / Labour Court

Planning the Investigation

• Communicating the investigation process
• Establishing the core issue under investigation
• The role of each eprson at the investigation meeting
• Taking statements and obtaining signatures
• Preparing   the presentation of allegations
• Preparing an relevant questioning strategy
• Ensuring confidentiality
• Suspension Considerations
• Maintaining written records
• The appeal process

Conducting the Interview

• The meeting structure
• Determining the facts
• The use of adjournments
• Note taking

Actions Post Investigation

• Making a fair and impartial determination
• Reporting conclusions
• Consistency and fairness of sanction
• Retaliation
• Counselling
• Disciplinary Procedures
• Summarily dismissal

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