Training Course Syllabus:

Interviewing Witnesses in Internal Investigations Webinar

This webinar will give valuable knowledge on how to prepare for interviewing witnesses in internal investigations, how to organize the interview, how to begin the interview, strategies to adopt for the reluctant witness and more.

Employers are required to conduct investigations for a number of reasons. For example, several statutes, regulations, and common law expressly or impliedly impose a duty to investigate. In these investigations, witness interviews are particularly important, especially where there is little evidence. However, many employers struggle to gather information during witness interviews. For even the most trained of investigators, the interview is often the most difficult part of the investigatory process.

Starting, continuing, reacting to new information, taking good notes and finishing a thorough interview require logical reasoning, combined with good organization and documentary skills. The interviewer often has to make determinations of which accounts are credible or not. When faced with instances of witnesses who may less than forthcoming for a variety of reasons, the task quickly increases in complexity.

Why Should you Attend:

In investigations, to meet its employer obligations, it´s crucial that interviews are structured to capture and gather all available accurate information, notwithstanding employee emotions that are often running high. This webinar will help investigators move through what often seems an investigatory maze.

Objectives of the Presentation:

• How to prepare and what to do before an interview.


• Organizing your interview so you can ask good questions.


• Starting your interview.


• Opening your interview.


• Strategies for the reluctant witness.


• What about tape-recording: Is it a good idea?


• Body language: Developing behavioral baselines.


• Considering cultural diversity.


• When are employees entitled to representation during an investigation?


• The note taker and their role.


• Taking notes and pacing the interview.


• How (and when) to end your interview.


• Liar, liar. What to do if you suspect someone is lying to you.


• The angry "hothead". Dangerous or something else?


• Educating all parties about retaliation.

Seminar Summary:

Get tips on how to prepare for interviewing witnesses in internal investigations, how to begin interview, what questions to ask, how to end interview, more. (see full course description)

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