Employee Drama or Serious Complaint? Understanding When & How to Conduct Internal Investigations

In today's situation, almost all HR professionals are responsible for handling 'Employee Relations' issues and responding to all sorts of employee complaints. And, as is seen commonly in professionals, a 'fly by the seat of one's pants' approach is usually taken when an employee stomps into HR with an 'issue'. Often, HR managers just grab a notepad and start scribbling down notes on a notepad.

Well, the 'fly by the seat of one's pants' approach to handling investigations can create serious risk for organizations. Employees' tongues start wagging over juicy workplace drama, witnesses are 'tainted' before being interviewed, complainants become victims of retaliation after talking with HR–and legal landmines are being stepped on at every turn! There seems to be imminent danger in every turn when employee issues are handled without the right approach.

Join our expert speaker Natalie Ivey, MBA, SPHR to learn the critical action steps in how to handle complaint intake, how to determine if an investigation is even necessary--and the basic framework of what an investigation should look like--including essential steps in documentation to minimize organizational risk. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the basics of handling employee complaints - determine if the issue is drama or a debacle that needs investigating 
• Learn how to obtain a statement of complaint and what should go into it
• Know about various legal obligations required by employers to conduct internal investigations
• Learn the basics of gathering documentary and physical evidence prior to witness interviewing
• Know the standard format which is prevalent for documenting investigative findings
• Know the best practices to handle disciplinary action and terminations to avoid stepping on legal land mines

Attendees attending this program will learn the key aspects of the investigative process, how to determine if an employee complaint is just “drama” or a serious issue that requires investigation, how to interview witnesses using the Ivey Bulls Eye technique and deal with reluctant and hostile witnesses, and this program provides more in-depth discussion on how to combat political interference in investigations.

Who Should Attend

• Senior HR Professionals,
• HR Managers & Directors,
• HR Personnel,
• Employee Relations Professionals
• CEOs
• Managers
• Team Leader

Natalie Ivey

Natalie Ivey, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is an HR consultant, professional speaker, author, and educator within the HR profession.  She has more than two decades of HR management experience with Fortune 500 organizations and in working as a trusted advisor and consultant to business leaders both in the U.S. and abroad.  She is the founder and CEO of Results Performance Consulting, Inc., an HR consulting practice that specializes in providing HR expertise and guidance to employers doing business in the U.S.  She also provides targeted, results-focused leadership and professional development training programs.  She routinely works with organizations to address destructive leadership behaviors and organization dysfunction.   She consults with employers and designs customized training programs to help employers correct poor behaviors, minimize legal exposure, and improve performance and profitability.

Ms. Ivey is the instructional designer/author of numerous HRCI accredited HR training programs that are marketed throughout the U.S.  and is also the author of the book:  How to Conduct Internal Investigations:  A Practical Guide for HR Professionals, which has received excellent reviews.  Her new book:  How to Keep HR from Being the Employee Complaint Department is due to be released in summer 2017.

Ms. Ivey is a dynamic and engaging speaker who is known for her sense of humor and "tell-it-like-it-is" direct approach to teaching HR education.  She is a frequent lecturer at university symposiums, is a guest speaker at SHRM conferences, and is a nationally known speaker who travels throughout the U.S. and abroad, speaking on a variety of topics to advance the HR profession.