Internal Investigation Note-taking and Reports (CO240)

In recent years, internal investigation notes, documentation, summaries and reports have come under heightened scrutiny by outside agencies, lawyers in discrimination cases, and the courts.

Even if one conducts a thorough investigation, Human Resources and EEO professionals must ensure that all documentation is well written. This workshop builds on the skills learned in Cornell's complaint handling workshops* and focuses exclusively on the written product of an effective investigation.

Key Topics

• Methods for taking notes during investigatory interviews
• Developing documentation relating to the investigation
• Tips for note-taking, documentation and writing effective investigation summaries or reports
• A template for writing a report
• Addressing comparators
• Addressing credibility
• Writing the analysis in reports
• Using the EEO and employment laws and guidelines effectively
• Analyzing witness statements and evidence
• Writing sound conclusions
• Writing a fair, thorough, and neutral report
• Working effectively with counsel on writing reports
• Avoiding an advocacy language when preparing notes and reports
• Ethical issues
• Attorney-client privilege

Who Will Benefit

EEO, HR and other professionals responsible for conducting, documenting and preparing reports for internal investigations

Prerequisite*

Participants must first take Internal Investigations: Part I and/or have relevant experience in EEO and Employment Law.

Related Workshops

See more workshops on Employee Relations, Internal Investigations and Employment Law Workshops.

See more workshops on Equal Employment Opportunity.

Related Content

Susan Brecher, Esq., Director of Employee Relations and Investigations at Cornell ILR’s Human Capital Develop and Executive Education programs, offers insight into how best to communicate the scope of confidentiality and the impact you can make on the employee.