Webinar

Conducting workplace investigations – Top tips on avoiding common pitfalls!

HR

People & Skills

Event Banner Image
Description
When a serious incident or complaint arises or is reported, a balanced and thorough investigation is required that will form the bedrock of future decisions.

Failings at the investigatory stage can create significant legal and reputational risk. It is therefore vital that those conducting investigations are properly trained on their role, responsibilities and governance obligations from the outset in order to minimise those risks. In light of employers’ recently expanded duty to prevent sexual harassment, there is also likely to be an increased focussed on workplace investigations following complaints of this nature, to ensure they are conducted both thoroughly and sensitively.
Overview
The Investigations Team at Mills and Reeve LLP has a reputation for conducting a number of high-profile investigations and for supporting organisations through the process.

We will be joined by members of their team to share ways of avoiding some of the common pitfalls that can arise when carrying out an investigation with a focus on factors that third parties such as Employment Tribunals, Courts and Regulators will take into account. They will also provide some key tips and recommendations gained through their experience conducting a wide range of investigations.

In particular, the forum will be covering:

- When it is reasonable to suspend and factors to take into account;
- Scoping, creating and maintaining an effective investigation plan;
- Conducting interview meetings;
- Dealing with tricky issues such as requests for anonymity, sickness absence and retaliatory or tactical grievances;
- Reporting and overlap with ongoing police investigations;
- What should the investigation report look like and cover?
- Reporting obligations to regulatory bodies.

This session will be of particular relevance to individuals with HR and finance responsibilities, including HR personnel, Finance Directors, managers, governors, trustees and directors.
Additional Information
About our speakers
Jameel Mann, Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP.  Jameel is a specialist employment solicitor at Mills and Reeve, based in the Midlands. He has over 15 years’ experience advising clients of various sizes, from start-up businesses to large national companies. In addition to providing strategic and day-to-day advice on Employment Law and HR matters, he also has significant experience conducting independent investigations in relation to whistleblowing allegations, disciplinary matters and grievances, some of which have been of a high profile nature. He also guides employers through the investigatory process and delivers training to management and HR teams.
Angela Lown, Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP. Angela is a Principal Associate within our employment team with expertise across the full spectrum of employment law. She advises clients on a range of issues including daily HR matters, absence management, grievance and disciplinary procedures, as well as TUPE and redundancy situations. As an experienced litigator, Angela defends complex Employment Tribunal cases, adopting strategies that align with her clients’ interests. Angela also has considerable experience when either conducting workplace investigations on behalf of clients or guiding them through the process. Her unique background, with several years in the commercial sector prior to re-training as a solicitor, enables her to deliver pragmatic solutions that balance organisational goals with legal risk management.
Rachel McDonnell, Partner, Mills & Reeve LLP. Rachel is a Partner in our Disputes Team at Mills & Reeve.; She specialises in complex, high value corporate and commercial disputes and has particular experience in financial services and financial crime contentious matters, including internal investigations and enforcement proceedings. Claire O’Reilly, Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP. Claire is an Associate in the Disputes Team of Mills & Reeve, based in the Cambridge office. Claire has experience in a variety of general commercial litigation (from pre-action to settlement, whether High Court or County Court). Since joining the team in 2022, Claire has developed specialist experience in running different types of internal investigations for commercial, education, charitable and health clients, including those with a regulatory element.            

This event is available for: Anybody

29th January 2025

10:00am - 11:00am

Online

FREE

Members must to purchase member only tickets

In stock

*All our business prices are excluding VAT at 20%.

For further information on this event, please contact The Policy Team on 0333 320 0333 or email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

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Mills & Reeve LLP

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