Just the Facts: Perfecting Your Workplace Investigation Interview

A sound investigation can frequently reduce liability, so the quality of your investigation is critical. Yet, all-too-often, investigators fail to get the critical information they need because they didn’t ask the right questions, weren’t prepared, and didn’t know how to handle different types of witnesses. Learn from a seasoned attorney investigator different strategies and new techniques to get the level of detail you need from your witnesses to make a well-reasoned finding.

Join Allison West, Esq., Principal of Employment Practices Specialists, on February 7 as she discusses:

• Understanding how much information you provided the subject and other witnesses
• Effectively answering those tricky questions: “Will I be fired?”, “Will the subject be fired?” “Hey, I don’t want to be involved, do I have to talk to you?”
• Avoiding loaded, leading, compound and accusatory questions
• Gain valuable tools for dealing with hostile or uncooperative witnesses
• Learn to efficiently use documents and other evidence with your witnesses

Allison West, Esq., SHRM-SCP, AWI-CH is principal of Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, CA.  Allison West is an employment attorney by background and has conducted investigations for over 20 years.  She is a noted expert on employment law and HR related issues and has appeared on NPR and CBS This Morning and in O Magazine discussing workplace harassment issues.

In her practice, Allison delivers training to HR and other professionals on how to effectively conduct investigations, delivers management training, coaches executives and managers, and serves as an expert witness.  Allison also works with individuals and teams on conflict resolution and creating more collaborative work environments.

Watch on-demand.

Have questions for our speaker? Contact Allison at awest@employmentpractices.net. Below you can find the resources that Allison mentioned during the webinar. 

• Just the Facts – Investigation Interviews Slides
• AWI-Guiding-Principles
• Silva v. Lucky Stores
• AWI Journal – 3 Reasons Why Investigators Should Not Discount Hearsay
• Cotran v. Rollins Hudig Hall Internat., Inc.
• Sample Confidentiality Admonitions
• Allison’s Tips