The HR Investigations Podcast
The HR Investigations Podcast: Exploring the Issues, Challenges, Strategies, and Solutions New episodes available bi-weekly
Episodes
Episode Overview: In this first episode of the mini-series When HR Gets It Wrong: Risk, Reputation, and Recovery, we explore one of the most common—and costly—mistakes HR professionals make: mishandling investigations. Closing cases quickly may feel productive, but speed without accuracy can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
Natalie shares a real-world scenar...
Episode Summary: In this episode, we break down the art and science of investigation interviews. Topics include:
- Structuring interviews for complainants, witnesses, and the accused
- Using open-ended questions and avoiding leading questions
- Assessing credibility indicators
- Documenting interviews accurately
- Sample interview questions to guide your discussions
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In this episode, we explore a tricky and sensitive area of Employee Relations: when complaints appear immediately after performance management or discipline. Sometimes employees file complaints not because of genuine misconduct, but as a defensive reaction to accountability. This episode dives into why it happens, how HR can respond objectively, and strategies to identify patterns while staying neutral.
...In this episode, we explore what happens when complaints appear immediately after performance feedback or disciplinary action. Learn why employees sometimes use complaints defensively, how HR can objectively evaluate these situations, and the importance of timeline analysis and structured investigations. We also cover best practices for handling potential bad-faith complaints while staying neutral and f...
Episode Description: FMLA complaints rarely begin with bad intent—but they often end in costly investigations. In this episode, we explore how FMLA investigations actually start, the most common employer mistakes investigators see, real-world hypotheticals that show how cases unravel, and practical steps employers can take to reduce risk.
Key Topics Covered:
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The HR Investigations Podcast
Episode Summary Bad documentation can destroy even the strongest investigation outcome. In this episode, we explore why documentation is the backbone of any HR investigation and exactly what makes attendance and discipline records defensible under scrutiny—from EEOC investigations to court depositions. We break down best practices, common credibility killers, real-world examples of good vs. bad documen...
Attendance policies don’t fail investigations—enforcement does.
In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, we take a closer look at call-in policies, no-call/no-shows, and job abandonment—three areas where employers frequently get it wrong. Using real-world investigation examples, we unpack how inconsistent enforcement, undocumented exceptions, and policy shortcuts often become the focus of claims.
If your attendance policy ...
Episode Description: Attendance problems rarely start with a termination—but they almost always end with one if ignored. In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, Natalie Ivey explains why attendance issues are often the earliest indicator of deeper workplace problems. From chronic absenteeism to inconsistent enforcement, this episode shows how early patterns can escalate into investigations...
Episode Title: When a Subject Requests an Attorney: Handling HR Investigations Legally and Professionally
Episode Summary: What should you do when a subject in an HR investigation says, “I want to have my attorney present”? In this episode, Natalie A. Ivey explains how to respond professionally, maintain investigation integrity, and protect your organization. Learn practical...
When Managers Harm: Investigating Allegations of Mental Health Impact
Episode Summary: Employees are increasingly raising concerns that managers are harming their mental well-being. But how should HR respond? In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, Natalie A. Ivey walks you through how to investigate complaints that a manager is “creating mental health issues” for ...
Episode Summary: Bullying in the workplace isn’t always unlawful, but it is always harmful. In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, host Natalie A. Ivey breaks down how to handle investigations into bullying allegations. From intake to interviews, evidence analysis to follow-up, you’ll learn a structured process for responding to complaints with fairness and consistency.
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In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, we speak with a leading executive from Case IQ, a premier case management software company, about the vital role of technology in handling sensitive HR investigations. From bulletproof documentation to ironclad evidence security—and now AI-driven insights—you’ll learn how to modernize your HR practices to minimize risk and boost efficiency.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to document in...
Guest Laura Middleton, CEO, Human Resources Certification Preparation | HRCP.com
In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey discusses Key topics:
- The role of HR certification in building trust and influence during investigations
- Key differences between SHRM and HRCI credentials
- How certification prepares HR pros fo...
Podcast Title: The HR Investigations Podcast
Episode Title: When HR Gets It Wrong: Lessons Learned from Botched Investigations
Hosted by: Natalie Ivey
Episode Summary:
In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, Natalie Ivey breaks down real-life investigation failures that resulted in serious consequences for organizations—from wrongful termination lawsuits to reputational damage and broken employee trust.
You’ll hear thre...
Episode Title: The Power of Persuasion in HR: A Conversation with Cindy Skalicky Host: Natalie Ivey Guest: Cindy Skalicky, Author of Red Light, Green Light
Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, host Natalie Ivey sits down with messaging strategist and executive coach Cindy Skalicky to explore the power of persuasion in Human Resources. Whether you're presenting investigation findings to executives, coaching a challenging empl...
In this episode of The HR Investigations Podcast, host Natalie Ivey dives into a crucial but often overlooked area: the role of senior leadership in supporting internal investigations. Too often, HR teams are conducting complex and sensitive investigations without clear support or understanding from the C-suite—and that can spell disaster.
Natalie unpacks the most common misconceptions executives hold about the investigative proces...
Remote but Not Invisible: Investigating Misconduct in Hybrid and Remote Work Environments
Episode Highlights: As remote and hybrid work have become the norm, employee misconduct hasn’t disappeared—it’s just gone digital. In this episode, host Natalie Ivey unpacks the complexities of conducting internal investigations when your workforce is no longer down the hall but scattered across Zoom, Slack, and email threads.
Tune in to lea...
Natalie’s upcoming 2-day Virtual Investigations Workshop:
July 23-24, 2025 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Details and registration link:
https://www.rpchr.com/webinar/internal-investigations-virtual-event
In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey discusses Key topics:
- Announcement of the release of the 2nd edition of Natalie ...
Visit RPC HR for more information.
Check out Natalie's REVISED book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here: https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77
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