Workplace Harassment Investigations Training
Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Newfoundland and Labrador require all employers to develop and implement a written workplace harassment prevention plan, including procedures for conducting investigations into complaints of workplace harassment.
In our experience, external investigations can be very costly. Cox & Palmer’s 2022 Workplace Harassment Investigations Training will provide participants with valuable knowledge, practical guidance, and procedural steps required to perform effective internal investigations.
This virtual training will be conducted via Microsoft Teams by Cox & Palmer’s Workplace Investigations Team (St. John’s). It will include five in-depth sessions:
Session 1: The Role of Legislation and Policy
Thursday, November 10 — 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NL time)
An understanding of applicable legislation and policy is the foundation of a good workplace investigation. Investigators must always be mindful of legislative provisions and policy content in respect to both what constitutes harassment and the procedure by which the investigation should be carried out. During this session, participants will learn the different types of workplace harassment, the role of policy, and the elements required to be investigated to establish whether harassment has occurred. Participants will also learn what does and does not constitute harassment.
Session 2: Introduction to Investigations
Thursday, November 17 — 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NL time)
Good workplace investigations share common characteristics. During this session, participants will learn how these common characteristics (first principles) are used to effectively conduct proper investigations. This session will cover the types of complaints that justify an investigation, how to determine the most appropriate person to investigate a complaint, and provide an introduction to the investigation process.
Session 3: The Investigation Process
Thursday, November 24 — 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NL time)
The investigation process must embrace the concepts of procedural fairness from commencement to conclusion. In this session, we will focus on how to identify who to interview and how to conduct effective and proper questioning. This session will assist the participant in understanding the key processes and characteristics of an effective workplace harassment investigative interview.
Session 4: Evaluating the Evidence
Thursday, December 1 — 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NL time)
As an investigator, you are ultimately tasked with making factual findings. In other words, you must determine “what” happened. During this session, participants will learn the legal standard investigators must apply in determining what happened and how to evaluate the different types of evidence received. We will also consider what is meant by credibility and how to assess it.
Session 5: Preparing a Written Report
Thursday, December 8 — 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (NL time)
The workplace investigation report will represent the culmination of the entire investigation and may be subject to legal review and challenge. A well-written report is key to an employer’s ability to react appropriately to complaints in the workplace and is heavily relied upon in making significant decisions. In this session, participants will learn the format of a typical report and what content should (and should not) be included. A template report contained in the course materials will also be reviewed.
Participants will receive seminar materials in advance of each session and will walk away with helpful templates that can be used for future investigations. Individuals that participate in all five sessions will receive a certificate of completion and will be armed with the knowledge and confidence required to conduct effective workplace harassment investigations.
Participants must attend all five sessions, live on camera, to receive a certificate of completion.
Presented By:
Michelle Willette
Kate O’Neill
Ashley Savinov
Cost: $825/per person; 15% discount for a group of 4 or more: $700/per person
Once payment has been received, the webinar link will be sent to registrants.
To register individually click here. For group registrations or questions, please contact Jennifer Konieczny at 709-570-5564 or jkonieczny@coxandpalmer.com.