Conflict Management, Grievance Investigation and Mediation Training

FORTHCOMING TRAINING EVENT: APRIL 2012

Grievance Investigation: Hard practice and investigative techniques.

Date:	Wednesday 18th April 2012 9.30 am - 5 pm (registration and coffee from 9.00 am)
Venue:	Central Manchester
Suitable:	For HR professionals, experienced and novice fairness at work investigators and others who may be called upon to investigate allegations brought by individuals or teams.
Price:	£195 only (includes complementary copy of the definitive Kogan Page book, Managing Conflict at Work)

Overview

Increased competition and pressure to deliver in the workforce combined with a recent rise of the 'opportunistic complaint' that individuals and organisations may not be fully complying with equality legislation add to the complexity and likely increase in the number of staff bringing complaints to a formal grievance. Being able to respond effectively to matters that may not always be 'black or white' and that genuinely aim to produce fair, robust and lasting conclusions involves appropriate knowledge and skill.

Responding to the need for advanced techniques in grievance investigation, being able to compile evidence-based, impartial reports that can stand up to scrutiny and a need for even the most experienced investigators to occasionally take stock of their approach to uncovering the truth, this interactive event draws on lessons from police detective training to offer a wide range of practical tips, 'micro-tool' techniques and insights for conducting and reporting on investigations effectively.

The course will provide answers to the sometimes challenging questions that investigators face, including:

• How to reconcile differences of perception of 'right' and 'wrong', such as 'strong management' and 'bullying'?
• How to intervene when the organisation itself or powerful senior managers may be at fault?
• How can allegations of encouraging sickness be avoided?
• When (if ever) is relevant to seek to question witnesses other than the organisation's own staff?
• How to deal with behaviour that comes close to straddling the line of acceptable conduct but which is well intentioned?

Topics touched on will include:

• Stemming the continuation of a grievance
• Locard's principle - gathering evidence, responding to sensitivities
• Investigation boundaries
• Disarming fear, reticence and defensiveness
• Getting behind words and emotions
• Dealing with the influence of others, e.g. majority opinion
• Investigation reporting
• Outcomes management
• Avoiding mistakes and common pitfalls
• Handling difficult scenarios
• Preparing for employment tribunals.

The course will be led by a highly experienced grievance investigator and former police DCI, drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from leading major crime investigations in fields such as homicide and domestic violence to handling some of the most challenging and high-profile fairness at work disputes.

Through attending this course, delegates will be able to:

• Know how to approach challenging investigations, including responding to unexpected
• Uncover what is at the root of a complaint
• Manage relationships with all parties involved effectively and fairly
• Minimise the risk of grievances repeating themselves, including continued appeals against investigations that left a door open to allegations of inadequacy or flawed process
• Present a complete and fair report of the investigation's findings, whilst respecting confidentiality and investigation boundaries.

Who should attend?

The course is relevant for anyone who regularly or may occasionally need to conduct a grievance investigation in the workplace. HR managers, line managers, and mediators will benefit, including individuals who are new to grievance investigation as well as experienced hands.

Combining inspiring presentations, shared insights and interactive exercises, the course aims to inform, inspire and challenge old ways of thinking.

Booking

To book a place, please call us on +44 (0)20 7870 1080, send an email to events@thejanuspartnership.com, or use the booking form below. To request more information, please call us or send an email via the same number/email address. Please note that this event is accredited as an ICMF (International Conflict Management Forum) Professional Development event.

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We will invoice you on receipt of your request for payment by cheque or BACS transfer (unfortunately we are not able to handle credit card bookings). VAT is not applicable for this event.

Please note that a £50 deposit is needed to secure your booking.

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All delegates will receive a complementary copy of the definitive Kogan Page book,Managing Conflict at Work