Conducting Workplace Investigations and Hearings

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Develop the skills and knowledge to manage workplace investigations confidently, effectively and within the current legal framework
2-day interactive seminar
London - 16-17 Nov 2010, 17-18 Jan 2011, 26-27 Jul 2011, 21-22 Nov 2011
London £895 + VAT

'Conducting Workplace Investigations and Hearings' in brief:

Implementation of the new Employment Act and the new Acas Code of Practice and guidance have highlighted the importance of workplace investigation and hearings; non-compliance may lead to a compensation uplift of 25%.

Whilst the law now provides for greater flexibility, the cost of getting it wrong is high. This seminar bridges the gap between theory and practice, giving clear, practical and business-focused advice for resolving disputes and to avoid costly mistakes. Through extensive 'real life' role-play scenarios, you will get the chance to practice and hone your skills and you will be brought right up to date with the latest key legal developments.

This event is CPD accredited.

Designed for:

Designed for HR practitioners, line managers, directors, employee and industrial relations officers.

Seminar highlights:

  • Improve your knowledge of the legal and practical requirements relating to investigations and hearings
  • Learn the skills required to manage and conduct investigations and hearings confidently and successfully
  • Enhance business success and avoid unnecessary litigation
  • Practise key skills through participation in 'real-life' scenarios on grievance investigations and disciplinary hearings

The Programme

Day One

09:30
The Legal Background: an overview of current disciplinary, grievance and Dismissal legislation and case law
  • The new ACAS Code of Practice and guidance: "Disciplinary and grievance procedures"

 
10:45
Coffee
11:00
Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedures: What's involved?
  • How is the disciplinary process structured?
  • Disciplinary and dismissal procedures in context
  • When and how to use suspension
  • Business and legal consequences of not following procedure
  • Managing disciplinary and grievance overlap
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Disciplinary and grievance investigations: a comprehensive, structured approach to the investigation
  • What is the investigation process? Highlighting the importance of the impartiality of the investigator and his/her role
  • When does an informal investigation become formal?
  • Gathering evidence
  • Handling witnesses
  • Writing the report
15:00
Coffee
15:15
The investigation interview: tips to ensure a thorough investigation process
  • Avoiding common mistakes made during the investigation process
  • How to analyse and evaluate evidence
  • Your investigations checklist
  • Report preparation, making recommendations and moving onto the hearing process
16:30
End of day one

Day Two

09:30
Grievance Investigation Role Play

Participants will have the opportunity to go beyond the legal framework and practical tips outlined on day one and apply these effectively in a controlled ‘real-life’ scenario. Participants will practise the theory covered and enhance their interviewing techniques to extract relevant information, interpret ambiguous behaviour and handle difficult situations.
11:00
Coffee
11:30
Disciplinary and grievance hearings: the final stage of the process?
  • How to prepare for the hearing?
  • Examining the importance of skilful meeting techniques
  • Maintaining bias-free hearings and sustaining consistency
  • Reaching a decision
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Disciplinary Hearing Role Play

To further build on the skills and knowledge developed, such as listening and questioning techniques, in the professional and formal setting of a disciplinary hearing. Participants will be presented with a disciplinary hearing scenario and have the opportunity to role play and apply the employment law framework.
16:00
End of seminar

Client testimonials

I could not have wanted more. Penny's style relaxes the group and ensures that information is delivered clearly and in an interesting way. One of the best trainers I have ever had- well done

—Sarah Jowett, HR Officer, Delphi Diesel Systems

Thanks for a fantastic course - highly participative and well structured!

—Liz Woods, HR Manager, Sedgemoor College

Excellent course, excellent trainer

—Gabrielle Clipp, HR Manager, Novus Leisure Ltd

A very knowledgeable, approachable, common sense trainer. Used lots of anecdotal examples which are always useful.

—Jane Freeman, HR Advisor, Dickinson Dees

Venue details

Venue details will be confirmed shortly.

For further information on the training facilities we use, please call us on +44 (0)20 8371 7010

Event review

Although the investigation of employee misconduct or grievances may not be at the top of many HR managers’ agendas, it is crucial that investigations and hearings are dealt with in line with the statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures – not following protocol can land you with unwanted tribunal cases and disrupted employee relations. JSB’s well-established seminar on this subject runs twice a year and has been attended by many HR Managers who realise the need to manage workplace investigations and hearings confidently and within the law – and need to gain the skills and knowledge to avoid costly mistakes that the mismanagement of this process can lead to.

When managing investigations and hearings, familiarity with the law is not enough - it is just as important to have the skills required to deal with particularly tricky situations and to extract relevant information, collect key evidence, write detailed notes and interpret ambiguous behaviour. The case study and role play approach on day two of this seminar does just that – it equips individuals with the skills to react to, and handle, difficult situations. Role plays may not be a favourite training approach for some people, but the initial reluctance at taking part is overcome by the learning outcome: Kath Edgeley HR Officer at The Royal British Region says "Although I initially dreaded the role play, I did find it very useful and very relevant. It was great getting feedback from group members."

Over the last two years senior HR professionals from a variety of industries, including the legal, financial, retail, manufacturing, media and public sectors, have benefited from this learning. Allison Alleyne from Homerton Hospital comments: "A timely and well-structured seminar - value for money and very enjoyable." The seminar is delivered by Penny Macmillan, a leading employment law specialist with a unique combination of HR, legal and employee relations training and experience, who provides delegates with a really practical understanding of the subject. Penny is frequently commended on her interactive training approach: "It is refreshing to meet an employment law specialist who gives a `straight answer` to a question!” says Sue Geall from Thomson Directories.

Clearly, there is still a real need for HR to be well-informed on the statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures. Want to find out if you’re managing your workplace investigations and hearings in line with HR best practice? Do take a moment to read our ‘top tips for investigating allegations of serious misconduct’ on our Hints and Tips page and decide for yourself!

 

Vicky Weber

Manager - Public Courses, Seminars and Conferences

JSB Training and Development

 

This seminar will be taking place again on 26-27 January 2009. Email us at enquiries@jsbonline.com to request a brochure. 

Download latest brochure:

Conducting Workplace Investigations 021209 (626KB)

 

Consultants

Our People

Penny Macmillan

Penny Macmillan MA Chartered FCIPD is a Solicitor and has for many years specialised in employment law, with particular experience of: TUPE, unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing and drafting employment contracts, policies, procedures and handbooks. She is former Head of the Legal Department at The Race Equality Centre and now practises in her own firm.

Before qualifying as a lawyer, Penny held positions as a Group Personnel Manager for a health authority; Employee Relations Manager for a major retailer; and Personnel and Training Manager for a large catering services company. Penny is equally well qualified and experienced as a management trainer, HR specialist and lawyer. She delivers workshops and seminars on a wide range of employment law and best practice subjects and is a personal tutor on JSB’s Advanced Certificate in Employment Law (ACEL).

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Testimonials

“A very knowledgeable, approachable, common sense trainer. Used lots of anecdotal examples which are always useful.”

— Jane Freeman, HR Advisor,
Dickinson Dees

Run courses In-Company

If you have 4 or more people who would benefit from this training, why not consider running it in-house?

 

  • Tailored content
  • Significant cost savings
  • Choice of time and location
  • Flexible delivery options

 

Call us now on
+44 (0)20 8371 7011
or send us an outline of your requirements.

 

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