Post-Incident Investigations
Workplace investigations are a critical step in responding to incidents of violence, harassment, and other serious workplace concerns. When handled effectively, they can help restore trust, support affected employees, and reinforce a safe and respectful work environment. However, poorly conducted investigations may expose organizations to legal risk, undermine confidence in the process, and exacerbate harm to those involved.
This full-day virtual workshop will provide participants with practical tools and strategies to conduct fair, thorough, and trauma-informed investigations, examining obligations arising under occupational health and safety legislation and human rights statutes, collective agreements, and workplace policies when responding to workplace violence, harassment, and other health-and-safety-related incidents. Through expert instruction and applied learning, participants will explore the following questions:
- What legal frameworks govern workplace investigations into violence, harassment, and other health and safety incidents?
- When is a formal investigation required, and how should employers determine the appropriate scope?
- What steps should investigators take to ensure procedural fairness throughout the investigation process?
- How can investigators assess credibility and make defensible findings in complex, high-stakes situations?
- What are the key differences between investigating harassment or violence complaints as opposed to other OHSA-related incidents?
- How can investigators conduct interviews in a manner that is both effective and sensitive to trauma?
- What common pitfalls can compromise an investigation, and how can they be avoided?
- What obligations do employers have to take interim measures to protect employees during an investigation?
- How should findings be documented and communicated, and what makes an investigation report effective?
- What steps should organizations take following an investigation to address findings and prevent future incidents?