Mastering Fact-Finding and Investigation (Halifax)

There are three events in the labour relations series, two in Halifax and the final one to be offered in St. John’s. This program gives LR Practitioners hands-on training on how to assemble the facts of a case without worsening the situation.

Session Topic

According to research conducted by Queen’s IRC, today’s labour relations practitioners are spending an increasing amount of time — up to 25 percent of their efforts — conducting formal and informal investigations of workplace complaints. The complaints may relate to harassment, conflicts of interest, discrimination, whistle blowing, or many other difficult types of cases, and are partly a response to tougher human rights and occupational health and safety laws. But research also shows that many HR managers and LR practitioners, including union representatives, feel they are inadequately prepared for the rigours of investigating complaints. This program gives LR Practitioners hands-on training on how to assemble the facts of a case without worsening the situation.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Learn how to plan the investigation, conduct interviews, and properly weigh the evidence. Receive on-the-spot coaching to ensure the skills you develop can be immediately and effectively applied back on the job.

a) Selecting the Right Path

Which fact-finding process is best? Your session leaders will discuss the differences between a formal investigation and an informal workplace assessment.

A formal investigation is held to comply with the employer’s responsibilities under human rights or other legislation.
A workplace assessment is a non-blaming process that offers generic results and recommendations that may be shared with staff.
You’ll be guided through the four stages of the fact-finding process. Learn how to pre-screen complaints and ensure you select the correct process and terms of reference for the issue. Review the legal framework and key procedural aspects and principles.

Ultimately, the investigation process you’ll follow will depend on several factors:

What are the dynamics of conflict, in terms of interests and relationships?
What are the applicable policies?
What is the desired outcome: Deterrence or confidentiality? Compliance with statutory obligations? Workplace restoration?

b) Preparing the Plan

An investigation encompasses four stages: pre-investigation screening, planning the investigation, interviewing, and preparing the interview report. Learn the key elements to preparing a plan:

Listing and numbering the important questions to be answered
Identifying the right people to be interviewed
Identifying the records to be examined and the person from whom they should be obtained
You’ll be guided through this process to learn how to identify witnesses and relevant documentation, and how to craft essential questions.

c) The Art and Science of Interviewing

What are the key issues that need to be considered when staging an interview? Using a case study based on an actual situation as well as tips on empathetic listening, you will apply your learning and use your skills to interview witnesses and handle difficult behaviours, and be coached along the way. You’ll also take away a list of sample questions to get you started.

Learn how to:

Prepare for the interview, including how to build the conditions for the best outcomes and how to ensure fairness
Open the interview and set the context
Craft the right questions, based on the five W’s: who, what, where, when, why
Deal with reluctant, uncooperative, or emotional witnesses
See through smokescreens and issues unrelated to the complaint at hand
Conclude the interview on the right note

d) Gathering and Documenting Evidence

Drawing on templates and structured formats, you will practice compiling evidence to support your investigative findings. Experienced leaders will walk you through evidentiary do’s and don’s. You will also learn how to identify useful evidence based on its relevance, credibility, and admissibility in legal proceedings.

e) Report Your Findings

What are the essential components of an investigative report? How do you assess and compile evidence? Work with your learning team to create a written summary of your findings and analysis, including the terms of reference, process followed, summary of evidence, findings in dispute and not in dispute, and analysis.

f) Navigating Through the Common Pitfalls

Session leaders will help you recognize the most common barriers to an effective fact-finding exercise.

The possible pitfalls are many, including:

Institutional delay
Difficult witnesses
Involvement of lawyers
Lack of direct access to witnesses
Investigator bias
By the end of this module, you will have several organizational strategies that can be deployed to ensure consistent results.

g) Post-Investigation Considerations

Learn how to follow through after an investigation, from notifying parties to addressing ongoing workplace issues.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Pricing

Please contact [email protected] for the exclusive member discount code.