Workplace Investigations: Getting the Process Right

Please note that participants may attend this workshop either in-person and online. When a workplace complaint is made, knowing what to do next can make a significant difference. This practical information session will give small business owners and HR practitioners the skills to manage simple, straightforward workplace investigations internally, while also helping them recognise when a matter requires independent support. The session will follow an investigation from the moment a complaint is received through to findings and the final report, with a strong focus on practical application rather than theory. Participants will cover: • Triage – deciding whether a matter can be resolved informally, investigated internally or should be referred to an independent investigator, including what to do in the first 48 hours. • Setting up the investigation – developing clear allegations, defining the scope, planning the process and managing confidentiality. • Procedural fairness – understanding the key principles that help ensure an investigation and its outcomes are fair and defensible. • Interviewing – planning and conducting effective interviews, gathering reliable evidence and managing difficult conversations. • Practical case study – working through a realistic workplace bullying complaint in small groups. • Findings and reports – applying the balance of probabilities, weighing evidence, documenting findings and understanding what a sound final report should include. Participants will also receive two practical take-home resources: a step-by-step workplace investigation checklist and a guide to preparing a final investigation report.