Overview
Workplace complaints, misconduct and underperformance can present significant challenges for employers, particularly when decisions need to be made quickly while maintaining fairness, consistency and compliance with employment obligations. This practical masterclass provides HR professionals, people leaders and managers with the knowledge and strategies required to confidently manage complex workplace situations from the initial complaint or performance concern through to investigation, disciplinary action and, where necessary, termination.
The programme brings together experienced employment lawyers, workplace investigators, HR and employee-relations specialists to examine the key stages of workplace investigations, including planning an investigation, conducting effective interviews, assessing evidence, making findings and preparing defensible investigation reports. Delegates will also explore how to distinguish misconduct from poor performance, manage disciplinary processes, conduct effective performance management and implement appropriate Performance Improvement Plans.
Particular attention will be given to difficult and sensitive situations involving bullying, harassment, psychosocial risks, mental health concerns and conflicting employee allegations. Through practical examples, case studies and interactive scenarios, delegates will consider how to respond when investigations, misconduct and performance issues overlap.
The masterclass will provide practical insights that delegates can apply immediately in their own workplaces, helping them make better-informed employment decisions, manage difficult conversations and reduce the legal, operational and employee-relations risks associated with workplace disputes.
Learning Objectives
By attending this masterclass, delegates will learn how to:
- Plan and conduct effective workplace investigations from the initial complaint through to findings and outcomes.
- Manage workplace complaints involving bullying, harassment, misconduct and unreasonable behaviour in a fair and consistent manner.
- Conduct effective employee and witness interviews, assess conflicting evidence and address credibility issues.
- Prepare clear, thorough and defensible investigation findings and reports while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
- Distinguish misconduct, serious misconduct and poor performance and determine the appropriate management response.
- Implement effective performance management processes, including setting expectations, documenting concerns and using Performance Improvement Plans.
- Navigate complex situations involving mental health, psychosocial risks, workplace conflict and competing employee allegations.
- Make fair and defensible decisions on disciplinary action and termination, while reducing legal, operational and employee-relations risks.
Who should attend?
This masterclass is designed for professionals responsible for managing employees, workplace conduct, performance and employee-relations matters, including:
- HR Directors, HR Managers and Human Resources Professionals
- People & Culture Directors, Managers and Business Partners
- Employee Relations and Workplace Relations Professionals
- Employment Relations, Industrial Relations and Workplace Relations Managers
- Senior Managers and Line Managers responsible for employee performance and conduct
- Workplace Investigators, HR Advisors and Employee Relations Advisors
- WHS, Safety, Risk and Psychosocial Risk Professionals involved in workplace conduct matters
- In-house Counsel, Employment Lawyers and Legal Professionals advising organisations on workplace issues
- Business Owners and Executives responsible for managing workplace complaints, misconduct or underperformance
- Professionals involved in workplace compliance, disciplinary processes, grievances and employment decision-making
Topics Covered
- Workplace Investigations: Getting the Process Right
- Managing Workplace Complaints: Bullying, Harassment & Difficult Conduct
- Conducting Effective Workplace Interviews
- Evidence, Findings & Investigation Reports
- How to Draft Procedurally Fair Allegations
- Managing Misconduct & Disciplinary Action
- Performance Management: Addressing Underperformance Effectively
- Mental Health, Psychosocial Risk & Performance Management
- Difficult Cases: When Investigations, Misconduct & Performance Collide
- From Investigation to Termination: Making Defensible Employment Decisions
