Course Outline
Conducting Workplace Investigations
Day 1
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
© 2020, School of Labor and Employment Relations, Pennsylvania State
University
Part 1: Investigatory Standards
1. Introduction to Investigations
a. Introduction of Program and Students
b. Video: Counting
2. Important Definitions (PowerPoint)
a. What is an investigation?
b. Relevant facts
c. Forms of evidence
d. Types of evidence
Break
3. Three Values: Speed, Thoroughness and Objectivity
a. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): Questions
b. Class Discussion
4. Investigatory Standards (2 through 6) – continued
a. Standards (PowerPoint: Standards 2 – 6)
b. Class Discussion
Day 2
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
5. Identifying Relevant Information
a. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): Identifying Relevant Information
b. Class Discussion: Identifying Relevant Information
6. Organizing the Collection of Evidence
a. Standards (PowerPoint)
b. Class Discussion
7. Standards Governing Collection of Evidence
a. Short Lecture
b. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): General Rules re: Interviewing
Break
c. Class Discussion
8. Collecting and Preserving Physical Evidence
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Physical Evidence)
b. Class Discussion
9. Additional Information About Testimonial Evidence
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Hearsay and Opinion)
b. Class Discussion
Day 3
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
10. Evidence: A Review
a. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): Evidence: A Review
b. Class Discussion
Part 2: Skill Building Activities
11. Types of Interviews
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Types of Interviews)
b. Class discussion
12. Conducting Incident Interviews – Introduction
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Communications Model)
b. Class Discussion
c. Beginning the Interview (PowerPoint: Beginning the Interview)
d. Conduct Demonstration
Break
e. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): Role Play I
f. Class Discussion
13. Conducting Incident Interviews – Slicing the Bologna
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Slicing the Bologna)
b. Class Discussion
c. Conduct Demonstration
d. Group Exercise (Breakout Room): Role Play II
e. Class Discussion
Day 4
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
14. Interviewing Uncooperative Witnesses
a. Short Lecture
b. Class Discussion
c. Conduct In-class role play
d. Class Discussion
15. Taking Written Statements
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Taking Written Statements)
b. Class Discussion
c. Conduct Video Demonstrations
d. Class Discussion
Break
16. Reconciling Conflicting Evidence
a. Short Lecture (PowerPoint: Reconciling Conflicting Evidence)
b. Group Exercise (Breakout Room)
c. Class Discussion
17. Summary and Evaluation