Keeping It In-House:
Investigation Skills for HR Professionals
Conducting Effective Internal Fact-Finding — And Knowing When to Go External
Two practical days that give HR and labour relations professionals the skills, structure, and tools to conduct fair, timely, and supportable workplace investigations — and recognize when an external investigator is the right call.
WHAT CHANGES MONDAY MORNING
A Synopsis of the Program
Workplace investigations require sound judgment, careful planning, strong interviewing skills, and a fair and defensible process.
HR and labour relations professionals are often called upon to investigate sensitive or complex workplace concerns from a trauma-based approach while managing confidentiality, workplace relationships, legal obligations, collective agreement requirements, and organizational risk.
This practical two-day workshop provides a structured approach to conducting effective internal workplace investigations and fact-finding. You will work through the entire process — from receiving and assessing a complaint to planning the investigation, conducting interviews, evaluating evidence, making findings, and preparing the final report.
Just as importantly, you will learn how to determine when an investigation can appropriately remain in-house and when the circumstances call for an external investigator.
Using realistic workplace scenarios, discussion, and practical exercises, you will build the confidence and skills to conduct investigations that are thorough, impartial, trauma-informed, timely, and procedurally fair.
Our Support Guarantee: You won't leave with theory alone. You will receive practical investigation tools and reference materials you can adapt for your own workplace — plus access to our facilitators after the training is complete.
After two days, you will:
Assess workplace concerns and determine whether a formal investigation is required
Plan and conduct a fair, thorough, timely, and impartial investigation
Understanding the 3 E's, the 4 R's and the 6 principles of a trauma-informed approach and how to apply them to internal investigations
Gather and assess evidence and conduct effective interviews
Make clear, supportable findings based on the evidence
Prepare a well-organized and defensible investigation report
Know when an internal investigation is appropriate — and when it isn't
Who this program is for
Human resources professionals
Labour relations professionals
Internal workplace investigators
Managers responsible for initiating, leading or participating in a workplace investigation
Union representatives who want to better understand the workplace investigation process
Whether you're new to conducting investigations or an experienced practitioner looking to
strengthen and standardize your approach, this program gives you a practical process you
can apply in your workplace.
Your Investigation Toolkit
Investigation Intake & Initial Assessment Checklist
A structured starting point for assessing complaints and determining the appropriate next steps.
Investigation Planning Template
A framework for defining scope, witnesses, evidence, timing, and the investigation process.
Investigation Interview Guide
Practical guidance for preparing for and conducting effective investigation interviews within a
trauma-based approach.
Evidence & Credibility Assessment Worksheet
A structured approach to evaluating evidence, inconsistencies, reliability, and credibility.
Investigation Report Template
A framework for organizing evidence, analysis, findings, and conclusions into a clear
and defensible report.
How it works
Real Workplace
Scenarios
Work through realistic investigation situations and apply the process to issues you may actually encounter on the job.
Practical
Investigation Skills
Develop your approach to planning, evidence gathering, interviewing, credibility assessment, findings, and reporting.
Applied Tools
Leave with templates, checklists, and frameworks you can immediately adapt and use in your own workplace.
Winter 2026 Cohort
Virtual
December 9–10, 2026 · 2 full days
Certificate from Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo
Certificate from the Labour Relations Academy of Canada
Your Facilitators
Blaine Donais
Blaine brings more than 30 years of experience as a union-side labour lawyer, leading collective bargaining, workplace investigations, and grievance administration. He is the author of numerous books and the founder of Workplace Fairness International.
Marshall Schnapp
Marshall brings more than 10 years of experience training, investigating, and mediating with unions and management in challenging workplaces. He has also served for many years as an external ombuds for municipalities across Canada.
The LR Fix
One practical insight into a common labour relations situation,
twice a month on a Monday morning.
Free.