Ep. 9 – The Basics of a Workplace Investigation (Investigations II)

Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges

What would you do if an employee reported that a colleague kissed her without her permission at the company holiday party? Our attorneys say: investigate! From their experience as employment attorneys and workplace investigators, Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco outline the nuts and bolts of conducting a workplace investigation in this episode.

Using the true-life example of the involuntary kiss, they address what to do if your employee reports harassment, including the importance of avoiding knee-jerk reactions and setting reported events in their proper context. They also touch upon documentary evidence, including electronic data, and in-person interviews. And since obtaining helpful answers often depends on how questions are phrased, Kristen and Christina offer a few helpful techniques that can be used in any conversation. They also emphasize why a trauma-informed approach is helpful when assessing the credibility of witnesses, before discussing drafting an investigation report and making recommendations to help better the business for all parties involved.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone in HR or in-house counsel, and for anyone else tasked with getting to the bottom of things in the workplace!

Stay Connected & Learn More:

The Prinz Law Firm

Kristen Prinz

Christina Hynes Mesco

Read Christina’s blog on conducting effective investigations