Course Description
Get Great Training About The HR Investigation ProcessWhen you receive an allegation of workplace harassment or discrimination - or you have received a potential Ethics violation - taking prompt action is your responsibility as an employer. Having the appropriate HR skills to properly investigate workplace allegations is critical to ensuring employee satisfaction.Our HR Investigations training course is a must-attend for individuals responsible for handling employee relations investigations and understanding the HR investigation process, rules, and requirements. After all, is the time to learn how to do an internal investigation when you are suddenly faced with having to do one? Of course not. That's where our training on the HR investigations process can help!Benefits Of Our Internal Investigations ProgramOUr Internal Investigations Certificate Program offers a comprehensive training experience designed to equip HR professionals and managers with the skills necessary to effectively handle workplace investigations. This program is particularly beneficial for those responsible for addressing allegations of misconduct, harassment, or policy violations within their organizations.Objectives:Our intensive, three-day program on the internal investigations process is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in how to conduct a workplace or internal investigation - and to arm you with the knowledge of how to properly conduct the workplace or internal investigation to minimize legal liability and reduce employee complaints.This program is packed with practical tools, tips, and techniques to improve your HR investigation process skills - and boost your confidence in handling sensitive and complex employee issues.Using interactive exercises and drawing on years of practical experience, our trainers will outline a step-by-step internal investigation process that can be applied in all types of investigations, including harassment, theft, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence.Investigations Training For Understanding The HR Investigation ProcessBy attending our Internal HR Investigations training seminar, you will learn how to properly handle a workplace or internal investigation, including:The legal obligations that require employers to conduct internal investigationsHow to gather documentary and physical evidence prior to witness interviewingHow to establish a chain of custody and a confidential retention processHow to prepare and select appropriate questions for witness interviewsTips for documenting investigative findingsBest practices in handling disciplinary action and terminations to avoid stepping on legal land minesWhat You Receive from Our HR Investigations Training:Ten information-packed sessions taught by a subject-matter expert on everything from handling claims of harassment and retaliation to best practices for doing the actual investigationA 300 page workbookSample forms for Interviewing Witnesses, Chain of Custody, Documentation, and moreNationwide case citationsCase studies based on real court casesPractical Tips, Best Practices, and Administrative RecommendationsInteractive Exercises: In addition to learning the applicable laws and requirements, you will benefit from several interactive exercises that allow you to practice what you learn! These include how to:Evaluate a general complaint to determine if an investigation is neededReview a complaint of retaliationInterview a complainantDeal with organizational politicsManage witnesses who are reluctant to participate in an investigationHandle investigations into allegations of FMLA abuse and sexual harassment18 HRCI and SHRM re-certification credits!Easy Access: Training available in both in-person and video conference formatsA ready for framing training certificate!And as a special bonus, you also receive access to our online Internal Investigation Training & Certification Program! Not only does this program include numerous administrative tips and procedural recommendations for keeping in compliance, you also receive FREE updates whenever the law changes, plus the ability to earn a Certified Administrator designation.Ideal Participants for This ProgramOur Internal Investigations Certificate Program covers the HR investigation process, and provides training for handling the employee relations investigations process. This certificate program is ideal for: HR Professionals seeking to enhance their investigative skills and knowledgeManagers and Supervisors responsible for addressing employee relations issuesCompliance Officers ensuring organizational adherence to legal and ethical standardsLegal and Risk Management Professionals involved in workplace dispute resolutionBy completing our Internal Investigations Certificate Program, HR professionals can bolster their ability to conduct thorough, legally-compliant investigations, thereby safeguarding their organizations and enhancing their careers.Special PricingAn "Early Bird" discount is offered for registrations made 30 days prior to the seminar date, so register today!Bring This Training To Your Location!Organizations that need to train six or more people can have us come to you - at a savings of 50% or more. Go to HRTrainingCenter.com/PrivateSeminar.asp for more details. Agenda
This comprehensive three-day seminar and workshop on Internal Investigations has been designed to provide you with training on how to best conduct an Internal Investigation.
This course starts by providing you with an understanding of the laws and requirements – as well as the employer’s obligations – governing an investigation, then teaches you the specifics for doing and concluding an investigation. The course then concludes with three practice investigations where you can apply what you have learned!
You receive:Information-packed training covering everything you need to perform an Internal Investigation, plus
Interactive sessions throughout the course to test your new knowledge, plus
Three mock investigations where you can apply all of what you’ve learned, plus
Access to our Internal Investigations Training & Certification Program!
SEMINAR AGENDA
DAY ONE
Evaluating Employee Relations Issues To Determine When Internal Investigations Are NecessaryWhy employees complain - and what they complain about
The impact of social media on employee complaints and investigations
How to identify what is - and isn't - a valid complaint that requires an investigation
How to define boundaries in HR to set expectations on issues HR does and does not own
How to push back on employee complaints that do not require a workplace investigation
Leadership and organizational issues that must be addressed to minimize the risk of litigation
The role HR plays in handling employee issues - and how to obtain investigative authorityDeveloping An Investigative StrategyWhy "picking up the phone" to call witnesses is a lousy strategy for beginning an investigation
How pre-planning minimizes the risk of negligence - and improves productivity
How to determine who is an appropriate investigator
Whether or not you must recuse yourself from an investigation
The skills you must possess in order to be an effective investigator
The three things you must consider when selecting investigative team members
The potential pitfalls - and politics - to assess problems before a case begins
How to resolve conflicts and turf issues to set the stage for an investigation
How to plan your strategy to get the "trifecta" of evidence in every caseFederal Labor & Employment LawReview of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and anti-discrimination and harassment laws
Harassment: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment
Other laws that can come into play when conducting internal investigations
Employer obligations regarding when and how to conduct workplace investigations
When it is necessary to take remedial actionInteractive Exercise:Social Media: Navigating Employee Rights and Workplace BoundariesCommon Law Compliance Obligations When Conducting Workplace InvestigationsCommon law that creates additional compliance obligations for employers
Retaliation: Review of Supreme Court case that has redefined retaliation—and how to avoid claims
Negligence: How to avoid claims of negligent hiring, supervision, retention, and investigation
Assault & Battery: Knowing your responsibilities in handling toxic and dangerous employee situations
Defamation: Understanding slander and libel and how to avoid claims
Privacy: Understanding the three kinds of privacy issues and why a Search & Seizure policy is necessary
How to handle electronic communications and employee use - and abuse - of social media
Today's "must-have" company policies to minimize risk of litigationInteractive Exercise:"Frosty" Behavior—or Retaliation?Skill Building Practice Investigation:Investigating An Allegation Of FMLA AbuseDAY TWO
Conducting Witness Interviews To Cut Through The Nonsense And Get To The TruthPreparation needed for effective witness interviewing
How to choose and set up an appropriate space for conducting effective interviews
How to set up the seating arrangement for maximum investigative benefit
Best practices in conducting virtual investigative interviews
Weingarten rights and requirements for interviewing in union shop environments
The "Bulls Eye" interviewing technique to keep your questioning on track
How to determine if a witness is telling the truth - or telling you a "story"
Techniques to gain witness cooperation and overcome reluctance
Your responsibility if an interview gets out of hand - and how to handle it
Strategies on how to deal with aggressive witnesses who fail to cooperateInteractive Exercises:Using The 'Bulls Eye' Technique To Get To The Truth
Dealing With Reluctant WitnessesGood Case Management & Conducting The Findings Meeting With LeadershipHow to conduct a findings meeting to identify potential organizational risks
How to communicate assertively to stand behind your investigative work
How to present findings, succinctly, to enable leaders to visualize organizational impacts
Identifying current policies - and past practices - before making decisions
Recognizing leadership decisions that can lead to negligent retention claims
Determining when it becomes necessary to leverage internal / external legal team supportInteractive Exercise:Dealing with Organizational Politics When Presenting Findings Organizing Evidence In Preparation For Writing The Investigative ReportUsing contemporary software to streamline the documentation collection/collation process
How to align allegations with applicable policies and laws
How to review and evaluate evidence to establish a fact pattern and timeline of events
Process for evaluating evidence to determine if you can conclude the investigationThe Do's And Don'ts Of Writing An Effective Investigative ReportThe various formats for investigative reports: memos vs. formal report structures
How to write an effective report that demonstrates good faith and minimizes risk
What does go into an investigative report—and what does not
Evaluating credibility of witnesses in "he said/she said" investigations
Documenting corroboration and inconsistencies in "he said/she said" investigations
Effective communication to complainants and witnesses in order to close out a case
How to set up appropriate security protocols to safeguard investigative documents
How to avoid legal liability for prematurely disclosing or destroying evidenceDAY THREE
Skills Building Workshop: Practice Investigation
Participants will work collaboratively on three mock investigations, working on the practice cases and gaining valuable knowledge and skills, working “a day in the life” of an investigator in each case, handling all aspects from documenting the initial complaint to conducting witness interviews, gathering evidence, and learning how to write a final investigative report.
Each fictitious case deals with different, sensitive issues to increase your knowledge of how to identify behaviors, gather evidence, and determine if company policies and/or laws have been violated.
Note: It is recommended that participants bring a laptop computer, iPad, or a notebook for use on Day Three of the program. These tools will be helpful during the workshop portion of the program to facilitate note taking during the practice investigative interviews and in working through a classroom activity of preparing an executive summary.
Program Wrap-Up
Action Steps Beyond The Program
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SNEAK PEEK: INTERACTIVE EXERCISES
Click here to get a sneak peek at some of the Interactive Exercises included with this course.
INCLUDED TRAINING MATERIALS
As a seminar participant, you receive access to our Internal Investigations Training & Certification Program.
This online course provides detailed specifics - including numerous examples, administrative tips, procedural recommendations, and interactive questions - for performing an investigation.
Program BenefitsAward-winning, easy-to-use interface that includes numerous Administrative Tips, Procedural Recommendations, and Interactive Quizzes (complete with answer rationale) to help ensure learning
FREE updates when the law changes*
Online access allows you to study at your pace and access materials anytime, anywhere with an internet connection
Special Bookmark feature that allows you to learn at your own pace and quickly return to training if you are interrupted
Eight hours of PHR/SPHR re-certification credits and SHRM PDCs per course!
Included with each Training & Certification Program - though not required – is the test to earn your “Certified Administrator” designation. Your test is taken online and scored immediately. Upon successful completion, your certificate is mailed directly to you! We also show you any incorrectly answered test questions so you can improve any area of weakness!How To Access Your Online Materials
To access this course, simply to go http://HRcertification.com/login.asp and enter the user name and password you used to enroll for this seminar. (Don’t worry; you can click the “Forgot Your Password” link if you don’t have your information readily available).
DATES & TIMES
Below are the times for this three-day seminar, which starts on the dates posted herein.Day 1: 8am - 4pm
Day 2: 8am - 4pm
Day 3: 8am - 4pmContinental breakfast and coffee is served at 7:30am, and snacks and refreshments served each afternoon. Due to the variety of dietary requirements, attendees are on their own for lunch.
SPECIAL PRICING
An "Early Bird" discount is offered for registrations made 30 days prior to the seminar date, so register today!
BRING THIS TRAINING TO YOUR LOCATION!
Organizations that need to train six or more people can have us come to you - at a savings of 50% or more. Go to HRTrainingCenter.com/PrivateSeminar.asp for more details.
QUESTIONS?
If you have other questions, or need to get your co-workers enrolled, call us at 678-366-3959!
*Free updates are provided for one year from enrollment date. A renewal of $99 applies for each year thereafter, which covers another full year of access to the course materials, renewal of your certificate, and updates whenever the law changes.