What’s Next for Investigations? Preparing for 2025
Sticky note on bulletin board that reads “Change is coming.”
This past week has been a heavy one for many of us. The headlines are hitting closer to home—quite literally—for my husband, a DEI practitioner. Conversations at our dinner table mirror those happening in workplaces everywhere: uncertainty, frustration, and fear about what these shifts mean for employees and organizations alike.
For HR professionals and workplace leaders, you’re in the thick of it. Your employees look to you for answers during these sensitive times—sometimes without fully understanding the complexities of the situations you’re navigating.
It reminds me of when I transitioned from plaintiff-side practice to an internal investigator role in a large healthcare organization during the height of the pandemic. That period was nothing short of chaotic. New workplace policies were introduced seemingly overnight, employees were navigating remote work for the first time, and the concerns landing on my desk ranged from discrimination claims to real fears about safety and equity.
If I learned anything from that time, it’s that preparation matters. And preparation starts with investing in your teams—through empathy, training, and a thoughtful approach to workplace investigations.
Empathy Is Key
The challenges we’re seeing in 2025 are different, but the need for an empathetic approach remains the same. Employees are feeling the weight of the headlines, and these emotions often spill into the workplace. Confusion about shifting policies, fear about job security, and frustration over perceived inequities can and will create tension.
As HR professionals, managers, and leaders, we’re tasked not only with resolving these issues but also with doing so in a way that reassures employees they are valued and heard. Training plays a huge role in making this happen.
What Kind of Training Is Most Needed?
When uncertainty rises, so does the likelihood of workplace concerns and complaints. Employees become more aware of how current events affect their work lives, and without proper preparation, it can be easy for you and those you support to feel overwhelmed.
That’s where training becomes essential. Some training areas to focus on include:
Conducting Effective Investigations: Ensuring you and/or your team have the skills and knowledge to handle complaints thoroughly, fairly, and efficiently.
Conflict Resolution: Empowering you and/or team to address disputes before they escalate into formal complaints.
Employment Law and Policy Updates: Ensuring everyone understands current legal requirements and how to apply them in day-to-day interactions.
Seasons of Change Require Action
In times of change, preparation is key, especially in workplace investigations. Training isn’t just about compliance or checking a box. It’s about equipping you, your managers, and your teams with the skills to handle sensitive situations with confidence, clarity, and empathy.
Workplace investigations often happen during the most difficult moments, when tensions are high, and the stakes are even higher. Being prepared allows you to handle concerns thoroughly, fairly, and in a way that maintains trust across your organization.
The right training strengthens your ability to:
Navigate complex investigations with clarity.
Build trust by demonstrating empathy and impartiality.
Respond to evolving workplace dynamics with confidence.
Preparation gives you and your team the tools to act with care and integrity.
Looking Ahead Together
I know the road ahead might feel uncertain. But if there’s one thing I learned during my transition to internal investigations at the height of the pandemic, it’s this: we are more resilient than we think. With the right tools, the right approach, and a commitment to empathy, we can navigate even the most challenging situations.
Let’s make 2025 the year we prioritize training, prepare our teams, and create workplaces where people feel supported, no matter what’s happening in the world.
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Together we’re building a community of investigators committed to elevating workplace culture.
And If you’re interested in learning more about this topic. I will be speaking on a panel for the Association of Workplace Investigator’s Wisconsin Circle where we’ll be discussing Developing HR’s Investigation Skills in 2025.
📅 Date: February 4, 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST
📍 Where: Virtual (Zoom)
This is an open meeting, anyone interested in the topic is welcome to attend.
We’ll be exploring best practices to develop HR’s investigation skills including:
✅ Assessing HR’s capabilities
✅ Balancing coaching vs. training
✅ Deciding to build, borrow, or buy training
✅ Making the pitch to leadership & measuring ROI
You can register here: https://www.awi.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1929260&group=
I’ve also created a free tool to help you streamline your workplace investigations from intake to interviews and beyond.
The Workplace Investigation Planning Template is designed to guide you step-by-step, ensuring you ask the right questions, capture important details, and stay organized throughout the process.
It’s your go-to resource for conducting thorough, efficient, and effective interviews every time.
If you’re committed to taking your investigation skills to the next level, my self-paced online course, The Investigative Edge, dives deep into the strategies, tools, and techniques that make interviews a true game-changer.
Inside the course, you’ll find:
A proven roadmap for creating an investigation process that builds trust, uncovers key details, and ensures consistency and clarity from start to finish.
Best practices for refining your skills and conducting investigations that effectively assess and address workplace issues.
Access to my full library of reference guides, interview templates, question lists, and tools, all designed to save you time and simplify your workflow.
Plus, stay tuned—I’ll have a special offer on the course during the week of February 3 to help make 2025 the year you optimize your entire investigation process.
