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Description

Workplace Harassment: Qualifying the Facts, Investigating and Concluding

Qualify reported facts accurately and run an internal investigation whose conclusions hold up

  • 1 day — 7 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Expert
  • Up to 6 participants

A poorly conducted internal investigation weakens everyone involved: the person who raised the concern and was not properly heard, the person accused who challenges the process, and the employer whose disciplinary decision is overturned. The recurring errors concern the composition of the investigation team, the way interviews are conducted and the wording of the conclusions.

This one-day programme is designed for professionals who already conduct investigations. It revisits how reported facts are characterised, then works through the method step by step: terms of reference, interview plan, audit trail of hearings, handling of conflicting testimony and drafting of the final report.

Learning objectives

  • Characterise reported facts in relation to moral harassment and sexual harassment
  • Decide whether an investigation is warranted and define its scope
  • Compose the investigation team and draft the terms of reference
  • Conduct interviews with the various parties and maintain a reliable audit trail
  • Handle conflicting testimony and substantiate the conclusions
  • Draft the investigation report and present it to the parties and governance bodies

What makes this programme different

Interviews with each party are role-played and then reviewed point by point
Real investigation reports are analysed to identify what makes them contestable
The method is tested on complex cases brought by participants

Programme

1Characterising the Reported Facts

Naming precisely what is alleged

  • Constituent elements of moral harassment
  • Constituent elements of sexual harassment and sexist conduct
  • The boundary with legitimate managerial authority and interpersonal conflict
  • Standards of proof and the respective burden on each party
  • The employer's prevention and response duties

2Framing and Conducting the Investigation

Building a process that cannot be challenged

  • Deciding to investigate and defining the scope
  • Composition of the team and the role of employee representatives
  • Terms of reference and information given to the parties
  • Interview plan and sequencing of hearings
  • Interview records and sign-off by the persons heard

3Conclusions and Follow-Up

Writing what may later be reviewed by a court

  • Cross-analysis of testimony and handling of contradictions
  • Substantiating conclusions and wording them with due caution
  • Drafting and circulating the investigation report
  • Feedback to the parties and information to governance bodies
  • Disciplinary follow-up and protective measures

Who is it for

Human resources managers, workplace conduct focal points, employment law counsel, employee representatives and any professional conducting internal investigations.

Prerequisites

Prior involvement in handling a report or in an internal investigation.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.