Common Investigation Challenges

Workplace investigations can present difficult situations that require HR professionals to balance fairness, employee concerns, company obligations, and sound judgment. In these lessons, workplace investigations expert Meric Bloch examines common challenges that can arise throughout the investigation process. Using realistic scenarios, he explores how to respond when an employee wants to withdraw a report, how to address concerns about confidentiality and retaliation, and how to determine whether a report provides a reasonable basis for further investigation.

The course also addresses challenges that can arise during interviews and when bringing an investigation to a close. Topics include managing witnesses and managers, responding when someone questions a witness’s credibility, maintaining objectivity, protecting procedural fairness, and deciding when a concern may be resolved without a formal investigation. Throughout the course, Meric shares practical techniques drawn from his experience conducting more than 800 workplace investigations, giving HR professionals approaches they can consider when handling similar situations in their own organizations.