Inside Synergy’s workplace investigation course: from complaint to clear findings

A workplace complaint can arrive as a broad concern, a long email or several different accounts of the same event. The investigator’s job is to turn that material into a clear, fair enquiry and explain what the evidence supports.

Synergy Training Academy’s Conducting Workplace Investigations — Professional Online Training focuses on the practical decisions involved: defining allegations, planning interviews, evaluating evidence and writing findings.

The online course includes six foundation units, ten modules and 365 days’ access. It costs AU$990 including GST.

Turn a complaint into clear allegations

A concern needs to be understood before it can be investigated. What conduct is alleged? Which events need to be examined? What is within the investigation’s scope?

The course covers the work of turning complaint information into clear allegations. This helps learners focus an enquiry on specific issues and identify the information they need to gather.

For someone handling an internal complaint, that is a practical starting point: a clearer account of what needs to be investigated.

Plan interviews with a purpose

Interview preparation connects the allegations with the questions that need answering.

The course covers planning interviews and developing an approach to the information you need from participants. Learners also complete an observed interview as part of the assessment.

This gives interviewing a practical place in the course: preparing the enquiry and demonstrating an interviewing approach are both part of the learning and assessment experience.

Work through conflicting evidence

Participants may remember an event differently, and documents may answer some questions while leaving others unresolved.

The course addresses evaluating conflicting evidence. The focus is on working through the available information and the reasons for an assessment, rather than simply collecting accounts.

This is a skill to practise throughout an investigation, particularly when the evidence does not point neatly in one direction.

Write findings that explain the reasoning

A useful report helps its reader understand the allegation, the relevant evidence and the reasons for a finding.

The course covers findings and reporting, connecting evidence assessment with the written explanation of the outcome. Learners work on the steps involved in expressing findings clearly and showing how the evidence supports their reasoning.

Practical assessment

Assessment includes an assessed portfolio, five transfer scenarios and an observed interview.

The portfolio and scenarios provide practical work through which learners apply their learning. The observed interview assesses an interviewing approach. Set aside time for these requirements when planning your study across the 365-day access period.

The course may suit HR professionals, managers and internal investigators whose responsibilities include handling workplace complaints or building investigation capability.

What the completion certificate means

Successful completion leads to a completion certificate. This is professional development training; it is not a nationally recognised qualification or investigator licence.

If your role requires a particular qualification, registration or licence, check that requirement separately before enrolling.

An optional reference book

The course contains its essential learning independently of the book. You do not need to purchase the book to complete the course.

For those who would also like a reference resource, Conducting Workplace Investigations: A Practical Guide is available as a PDF for AU$99 including GST. Published by Synergy Training Academy, it contains 40 chapters across seven parts.

Individual course purchasers can add the optional book for AU$49 including GST in the same order. The individual course-and-book total is AU$1,039 including GST.

View the book description and preview.

Build your workplace investigation skills

Explore the full course outline, assessment requirements and enrolment options on the Synergy Training Academy page.

View the course and enrol.