CONDUCTING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
Managing Sensitive Employee Complaints and Misconduct Allegations with Fairness, Accuracy, and Legal Compliance
[mawa_download_flyer course_id=%_ID%]
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 27 – 28 Feb 2025 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | USD 1995 per delegate |
| 04 – 05 Mar 2025 | Doha, Qatar | USD 1995 per delegate |
Course Introduction
When workplace complaints, misconduct, or compliance breaches arise, organizations must respond swiftly and thoroughly. Conducting internal investigations is a critical process that requires fairness, confidentiality, legal awareness, and a structured methodology to protect both individuals and the organization.
This 2-day course equips HR, legal, and management professionals with the skills and tools to carry out effective workplace investigations. From receiving complaints and planning investigations to interviewing, documentation, and reporting, participants will learn how to manage sensitive issues with professionalism, neutrality, and procedural rigor.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the legal, ethical, and organizational implications of workplace investigations
• Plan and execute an impartial, well-documented investigation process
• Conduct effective interviews with complainants, witnesses, and respondents
• Analyze evidence and make objective findings
• Draft investigation reports that support sound decision-making
Key Benefits of Attending
• Minimize legal, reputational, and operational risks during internal inquiries
• Ensure due process and fairness for all parties involved
• Build trust and transparency through proper handling of complaints
• Strengthen compliance with HR, labor, and company policies
• Gain confidence in managing sensitive, high-impact employee issues
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• HR professionals and employee relations specialists
• Legal and compliance officers
• Line managers and department heads
• Internal audit and ethics officers
• Anyone responsible for handling misconduct, complaints, or grievances
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Interviewing skills specific to sensitive workplace topics
• Risk and evidence assessment
• Proper documentation and report writing
• Legal awareness around confidentiality, retaliation, and data protection
• Conflict resolution and decision-making under pressure
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved internal handling of misconduct and grievance cases
• Reduced exposure to litigation, penalties, and reputational harm
• Enhanced employee trust in organizational justice and processes
• Stronger documentation and defensibility of decisions
• Consistent, policy-aligned responses across departments
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – Legal frameworks, HR protocols, and ethical considerations
• Case Studies – Real-world incidents and lessons learned
• Workshops – Interviewing techniques, evidence review, and report development
• Peer Exchange – Handling complex cases across cultures and jurisdictions
• Tools – Interview checklists, investigation templates, evidence logs
Course Outline
DETAILED 2-DAY COURSE OUTLINE
Training Hours: 07:30 AM – 03:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Fundamentals and Investigation Planning
Module 1: The Investigation Landscape (07:30 – 09:30)
• Types of workplace issues requiring investigation
• Legal and organizational obligations
• Key risks: retaliation, confidentiality, defamation
Module 2: Receiving and Responding to Complaints (09:45 – 11:15)
• Intake process and documentation
• Assessing credibility and urgency
• Immediate response and interim measures
Module 3: Investigation Planning and Scope (11:30 – 01:00)
• Defining scope, roles, and timelines
• Developing an investigation plan and question guide
• Notifying relevant parties appropriately
Module 4: Workshop – Planning an Investigation (02:00 – 03:30)
• Teams design an investigation plan from a case scenario
Day 2: Interviews, Analysis, and Reporting
Module 1: Conducting Interviews (07:30 – 09:30)
• Preparing for and conducting interviews
• Managing emotions, bias, and resistance
• Interview techniques for complainants, witnesses, and respondents
Module 2: Evidence Review and Analysis (09:45 – 11:15)
• Types of evidence (documentary, testimonial, digital)
• Weighing credibility and consistency
• Decision standards: balance of probabilities vs. beyond doubt
Module 3: Writing the Investigation Report (11:30 – 01:00)
• Structuring the report: summary, findings, conclusions
• Supporting findings with objective evidence
• Presenting recommendations professionally
Module 4: Final Workshop – Interview Simulation and Reporting (02:00 – 03:30)
• Teams conduct mock interviews and draft a summary report
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Conducting Workplace Investigations, validating their ability to manage internal investigations with integrity, procedural fairness, and compliance with organizational and legal standards.