How To Conduct An Internal Investigation
If you are an HR professional, there's a good chance you are responsible for conducting employee relations investigations at some point in your career. Investigations can be complex and tricky, but with the right approach, they don't have to be overwhelming.
In this guide, we will walk you through the basics of how to conduct a workplace investigation. We'll cover everything from planning your investigation to gathering evidence and reporting your findings. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to confidently handle any investigation that comes your way!
Know The Scope Of The Investigation
The first step in how to conduct an HR investigation is to plan the scope of the inquiry. This means determining what needs to be investigated and why. Once you have a clear understanding of the problem, you can start to put together a plan for how to best address it.
Gather Up All Relevant Evidence
One of the most important aspects of conducting an investigation is gathering evidence as part of the internal investigation. This can be done through interviews, document review, or other methods. It's important to collect as much relevant information as possible so that you can make an informed decision about what happened and whether or not any action needs to be taken. This tends to be the lengthiest part of the HR investigation timeline.
Begin the Official Report
Once you have all of the evidence, it's time to start writing your report. In your report, you should include a summary of the facts that you gathered, as well as your conclusions and recommendations. Be sure to back up your findings with evidence from the investigation.
Review Your First Draft With a Critical Eye
Once you've written your first draft, it's important to take a step back and review it with a critical eye. Make sure that everything is clear and concise and that your conclusions are supported by the evidence.
Edit and Finalize Your Report
After you've reviewed your report, make any necessary changes and finalize it. Once your report is complete, you'll need to submit it to the appropriate decision-makers for review. They will use your report to determine whether or not any disciplinary action needs to be taken.
Investigations can be time-consuming and challenging, but with the right approach, they don't have to be overwhelming. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to confidently handle any investigation that comes your way! And if you want to further your career, look into our Internal Investigations Certificate Program, which you can take this course via in-person or online class formats.
