Conducting Workplace Investigations and Alternative Conflict Resolution Methods
Do you understand how to handle a formal investigation remotely?
Legal Island’s best-selling Conducting Workplace Investigations and Alternative Conflict Resolution Methods course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to guide employees through the most suitable conflict resolution methods, including an introduction to the key concepts of remote workplace mediation and how to conduct/participate in remote investigations sensibly, fairly, and effectively in keeping with the legal and procedural.
When does a complaint warrant an investigation? When would it be better to use mediation techniques to resolve the complaint? Does the allegation fall within the legal definitions of inappropriate behaviour or other forms of gross misconduct? Do you know which of the various Codes of Practice or laws to follow when conducting a remote investigation including the new Revised WRC Code of Practice issued a few weeks ago? Do you have a ‘best practice’ process for applying other methods of resolution before proceeding to a formal investigation?
These and many more questions will arise throughout what can be a convoluted and frustrating process, especially with many investigations now taking place remotely via Zoom or MS Teams.
What are the Learning Outcomes?
- Identify what issues warrant a formal investigation what complaints / issues might best be resolved through informal resolution or mediation.
- Understand what is meant by ‘inappropriate behaviours' at work, and how to identify whether these behaviours constitute bullying or harassment.
- Describe the key concepts of how to manage a remote mediation, including how to reach agreement to mediate, how to manage the process and how to follow up afterwards.
- Be able to conduct a formal investigation remotely from start to finish– procedure, questioning, note-taking, witnesses, report.
- Practical samples to take away with you.
Who should attend?
This event is ideally suited to employers, senior managers, investigation officers and HR professionals.
When and where?
This event will take place on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th June 2023 via the online Hopin platform.
Price
Standard Rate: €345
Save €20 if you pay online when booking
Programme
Day 1
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9:15am |
Introduction and ObjectivesCourse tutor introduction and participants are invited to outline what they would like to achieve from the training session. |
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9:45am |
When to investigate, formal v informal?The first challenge faced by supervisors and line managers is what should their initial response be to an employee complaint or issue? Attendees will review a range of practical scenarios which describe employee complaints and issues ranging from allegations of bullying to suspicion of theft, with the objective of learning when to investigate, when to mediate and what can be handled informally. |
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10:45am |
Refreshment Break |
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11:00am |
How to identify inappropriate behaviours at workA key area which can give rise to the need to investigate is the area of alleged bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination; this part reviews the definition and examples of these types of inappropriate behaviour at work, and how to determine, with reference to the legal guidelines firstly whether a complaint actually falls within these definitions or not, and secondly what may be the appropriate course of follow-up action (e.g. informal resolution, mediation, investigation). |
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12:00pm |
Key concepts of workplace mediation (including remote mediations)Mediation is a skill that requires practice, patience and maturity; the purpose of this session is to provide attendees with enough information to begin that journey, to introduce participants to the key concepts of what is a ‘best practice ‘mediation intervention, how to manage a workplace mediation, including how to reach agreement to mediate, how to manage the process and how to follow up afterwards. Tutor will share her experience of remote mediations – what works and what pitfalls to watch out for when carrying out a remote mediation |
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1:00pm |
Close of Day 1 |
Day 2
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9:30am |
Day 2 Welcome Back |
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9:45am |
Conducting and documenting a formal investigation, including how to carry out a remote investigation
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10:30am |
Comfort Break |
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10:45am |
Final stages: the outputs of the formal investigationHow to form conclusions and make recommendations
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11:45am |
Q&A |
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12.15pm |
Summary and Conclusions |
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12:30pm |
Close |
Testimonials
"Excellent presentations from Michelle who also included a lot of very useful information on top of what was in the presentation. The interactive nature of a lot of the presentation was very effective. The seminar was managed very smoothly and the support both before and during the seminar were excellent."
David Bell, Managing Director, The HR Department
"Michelle is very engaging and excellent at getting points across."
Dave O'Gorman, Higher Executive Officer, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
"Excellent presenter, course notes really good. Legal Island Admin on the chat were really quick to provide links."
Siofra Kilcullen, SEO Corporate Development and Human Resources, Mayo County Council
"(I really liked) the practical examples, scenarios and case studies. Excellent templates and sample questions are very useful."
Julie Lowe, HR Officer, SOS Kilkenny CLG
"Michelle is a great facilitator and used very practical examples throughout the day. The material provided is very comprehensive and a great take away for future reference."
Rebecca Domican, HR Business Partner, Central Bank of Ireland
Presenters
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Michelle Halloran Trainer
Halloran HR Resolutions Ltd
Michelle Halloran is an experienced Human Resource Management professional and an accredited workplace mediator providing training and consultancy services to organisations nationwide, in the Public and Private sector. She has spent a long career originally in executive and general management roles, then specialising in Human Resources management in Ireland, the UK and Europe, across various sectors including investment banking, information technology, manufacturing and services plus some time in the public sector, before starting her own HR consultancy business 17 years ago. Her key areas of expertise are in workplace investigations, disciplinary and performance management and employee relations, and the practical application of employment law in a HR context.
Michelle originally graduated in Computer Science from Trinity College, Dublin and spent the early part of her career developing software for the investment banking sector from which she was promoted into a series of senior executive and management positions in the financial services sector.
She then worked in HR Management for high profile multi-nationals such as Abbott Laboratories, American Power Conversion and Thermo King, as well as assisting start-up companies to develop the “human” component of their businesses.
Michelle holds a Masters degree in management, and she is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, whose objective is to promote best practice in management training and development here and in the UK. Michelle was also awarded with top marks the NUIG Foundation Diploma in Training and Education, which is the nationally recognised qualification for business training providers.