The HR Investigations Podcast
Episode Summary Bad documentation can destroy even the strongest investigation outcome. In this episode, we explore why documentation is the backbone of any HR investigation and exactly what makes attendance and discipline records defensible under scrutiny—from EEOC investigations to court depositions. We break down best practices, common credibility killers, real-world examples of good vs. bad documentation, and coaching tips to help managers and investigators get it right every time.
Episode Highlights & Examples
What Good Documentation Looks Like
Writing for a Third Party
Coaching Tips for Managers & Investigators
Use this checklist before finalizing notes: Is it timely?Are all facts verifiable (dates, witnesses, documents)?Have I avoided opinions, absolutes, or emotional language?Did I include the employee’s side of the story?Does it reference the specific policy and outline clear next steps?Train teams to write as if the note will be read by someone who has never met the employee.Closing Thought If your documentation doesn’t clearly tell the story, someone else will—whether that’s an employee’s attorney, an EEOC investigator, or a judge. Bulletproof records protect your decisions, promote fairness, and help employees improve.
Resources
How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals
Available now on Amazon
This book provides step-by-step guidance, real-world examples, and best practices for conducting defensible workplace investigations.
Upcoming Virtual Workshop:
How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Workshop for HR Professionals
February 17–18
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Live, 2-day virtual format
This hands-on workshop is designed for HR professionals who want practical tools—not theory. We cover intake, planning, interviews, documentation, credibility assessments, and investigation findings, with real-world scenarios throughout.
If you’re responsible for handling internal investigations—or advising leaders on discipline and terminations—this is exactly the type of issue we work through in my upcoming two-day virtual investigations workshop, How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Workshop for HR Professionals, happening February 17-18 from 11 to 5 Eastern.
We focus on real situations and how to investigate them in a way that holds up under scrutiny.
And if you’re looking for a practical reference you can keep on your desk, my book, How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals, is available on Amazon and walks you through the investigation process step by step.
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New episodes drop regularly with practical guidance for HR professionals navigating complex workplace issues.
