Conducting Workplace Investigations and Alternative Conflict Resolution Methods

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Wednesday, 02 December 2026

09:15 - 13:30 ( 4 hours 15 mins )

Online

2nd & 3rd December

Gain the skills, confidence and practical tools to assess complaints, conduct fair and legally compliant workplace investigations, and minimise organisational risk.

Event details

About the event

2 half days Duration

2nd December 2nd & 3rd December

Online Zoom

€365.00 Early bird ends 4th November 2026 at 5:00pm. Standard rate: €415.00

Overview

Conduct Workplace Investigations with Confidence

Every workplace complaint requires careful judgment. Deciding whether an issue warrants a formal investigation, informal resolution or mediation isn't always straightforward, and getting it wrong can expose your organisation to legal, financial and reputational risk.

This practical workshop will guide you through every stage of managing workplace investigations. You'll learn how to assess complaints, decide on the most appropriate course of action, conduct fair and legally compliant investigations, and apply the relevant employment legislation and Codes of Practice, including the revised WRC Code of Practice.

Led by expert trainer, Michelle Halloran, this course will also explore the additional considerations when investigations or mediation take place remotely, helping you adapt your approach to today's flexible working environments.

Throughout the workshop, you'll have opportunities to ask questions, discuss real workplace scenarios and learn from experienced practitioners, ensuring you leave with practical knowledge and confidence you can apply immediately in your organisation.

What you'll learn

By attending this workshop, you'll be able to:

Identify when a complaint requires a formal investigation and when informal resolution or mediation may be more appropriate
Recognise inappropriate workplace behaviours, including bullying and harassment, and understand how they are defined in practice
Conduct fair, thorough and legally compliant workplace investigations from start to finish
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, take effective notes and produce clear, well-structured investigation reports
Understand the principles of workplace mediation, including how to secure agreement, manage the process and follow up effectively, including in remote settings
Apply current employment law and Codes of Practice confidently throughout the investigation process
Make informed, defensible decisions that help reduce organisational risk
Return to your organisation with practical templates, guidance and resources you can use immediately

Included with your booking

Every delegate will receive a practical digital resource pack containing:

28 pages of additional guidance and real-life scenarios
Example mediation questions
A sample Terms of Reference
Sample letters for investigation participants
A copy of the speaker's presentation slides

These practical resources are designed to support you long after the workshop has ended.

Why this event matters

Workplace investigations can have significant consequences for employees, managers and organisations. A poorly handled investigation can lead to grievances, tribunal claims, damaged employee relations and unnecessary legal and reputational risk.

Whether you're investigating allegations of bullying, harassment, misconduct or other workplace complaints, it's essential to follow a fair, consistent and legally compliant process.

This workshop provides a practical framework for handling complaints with confidence, making well-informed decisions and reducing organisational risk. You'll leave with the knowledge, skills and practical tools to manage investigations effectively, whether they're carried out in person or remotely.

Who this event is for

This workshop is ideal for:

HR professionals
Employers
Senior managers
Investigation officers
Anyone responsible for managing workplace complaints, disciplinary matters or employee investigations

Secure your place

Whether you're new to workplace investigations or looking to build on your existing experience, this workshop will provide the practical skills, legal knowledge and ready-to-use resources you need to conduct fair, effective and compliant investigations with confidence.

Places are limited on this course, and places tend to sell out fast. Secure your place today.

Programme

A detailed look at Conducting Workplace Investigations event...

Here's what to expect over the 2 half days.

Time

Session

09:15 am

Day 1

Introduction and Objectives

An introduction to the course tutor, Michelle Halloran, and an opportunity for participants to outline what they would like to achieve from the training session.

09:45 am

When to investigate, formal v informal?

The first challenge faced by supervisors and line managers is what should their initial response be to an employee complaint or issue.

Attendees will review a range of practical scenarios which describe employee complaints and issues ranging from allegations of bullying to suspicion of theft, with the objective of learning when to investigate, when to mediate and what can be handled informally.

10:45 am

Refreshment Break

11:00 am

How to identify inappropriate behaviours at work

A key area which can give rise to the need to investigate is the area of alleged bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination. This part reviews the definition and examples of these types of inappropriate behaviour at work, and how to determine, with reference to the legal guidelines firstly whether a complaint actually falls within these definitions or not, and secondly what may be the appropriate course of follow-up action (e.g. informal resolution, mediation, investigation).

12:00 pm

Key concepts of workplace mediation (including remote mediations)

Mediation is a skill that requires practice, patience and maturity; the purpose of this session is to provide attendees with enough information to begin that journey, to introduce participants to the key concepts of what is a "best-practice mediation intervention", how to manage a workplace mediation, including how to reach an agreement to mediate, how to manage the process and how to follow up afterwards.

Michelle will share her experience of remote mediation – what works and what pitfalls to watch out for when carrying out a remote mediation.

13:00 pm

Close of day 1

09:30 am

Day 2

Welcome back

09:45 am

Conducting and documenting a formal investigation, including how to carry out a remote investigation

An overview of the role of the investigator
A checklist for the pre-interview documentation to be issued (terms of reference, scope, timeframe, outputs, appeal) – importance of transparency v Data Privacy issues
Importance of appointing an impartial investigation panel
A checklist of appropriate questions to ask the complainant, person complained of and any witnesses and how to handle the interview process remotely
How to handle the logistics of a remote investigation
Role of representatives
A guide to appropriate note-taking/recording, including how to handle reporting on remote investigation interviews
How to handle requests for mediation, counselling, withdrawal of complaint and other issues that may arise during the investigation
How to prepare an investigation report and sample report layout

10:30 am

Comfort break

10:45 am

Final stages: The outputs of the formal investigation

How to form conclusions and make recommendations.

Principles of transparency of information
Final communications with the employee / complainant, person complained about
Appeals

11:45 am

Q&A

Time to ask any questions you have left.

12:15 pm

Summary and conclusions

12:30 pm

Event close

Testimonials

Feedback that speaks volumes...

Here's what previous attendees had to say about Conducting Workplace Investigations and Alternative Conflict Resolution Methods.

"Excellent presentations from Michelle who also included a lot of very useful information on top of what was in the presentation. The interactive nature of a lot of the presentation was very effective. The seminar was managed very smoothly and the support both before and during the seminar were excellent."

David Bell Managing Director, The HR Department

"Excellent presenter, course notes really good. Legal Island Admin on the chat were really quick to provide links."

Siofra Kilcullen SEO Corporate Development and Human Resources, Mayo County Council

"The information was exactly what I was looking for and it was delivered clearly and in plain English. The examples were very accurate in what I deal with."

Lucy O'Sullivan Assistant director, Legal Aid Board

"Michelle is a great facilitator and used very practical examples throughout the day. The material provided is very comprehensive and a great take away for future reference."

Rebecca Domican HR Business Partner, Central Bank of Ireland

Presenters

Explore the presenters on the day

Michelle Halloran HR Consultant, Michelle Halloran HRM Services

Michelle Halloran is an experienced Human Resource Management professional and an accredited workplace mediator providing training and consultancy services to organisations nationwide, in the Public and Private sector. She has spent a long career originally in executive and general management roles, then specialising in Human Resources management in Ireland, the UK and Europe, across various sectors including investment banking, information technology, manufacturing and services plus some time in the public sector, before starting her own HR consultancy business 17 years ago. Her key areas of expertise are in workplace investigations, disciplinary and performance management and employee relations, and the practical application of employment law in a HR context.

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