Preparation is Key: Witness Interviews
The success of workplace investigations often hinges on preparation. Difficult witnesses—whether nervous, hostile, or evasive—can derail an interview if you’re unprepared. You can keep the investigation on track by taking the time to anticipate challenges and develop a plan.
1. Know the Case Details
Before the interview, thoroughly review all case documents, including prior complaints, policies, and witness statements. This ensures you ask informed, relevant questions.
2. Anticipate Challenges
Difficult witnesses often require tailored strategies:
- Nervous Witnesses: Prepare rapport-building questions to ease their anxiety.
- Hostile Witnesses: Have a plan for de-escalating conflict, such as setting clear ground rules.
- Evasive Witnesses: Craft follow-up questions to keep them on topic.
- Rambling Witnesses: Politely interrupt and utilize your interview outline to keep on track.
3. Craft a Flexible Question Outline
Prepare a list of questions but remain flexible. Interviews rarely go as planned, and adapting to the witness’s responses is critical.
4. Take from Your Experience
Investigation skills coincide with general people skills and your innate emotional intelligence. For example, when faced with a “rambling witness” who provides irrelevant anecdotes, you may gently interrupt and redirect the conversation as you would in a normal conversation. Then, by referring to prepared questions, you can successfully redirect the interview and obtain the necessary facts.
Conclusion
Preparation is the foundation of effective workplace investigations. You can navigate even the most difficult witness interviews by understanding the case, anticipating challenges, and crafting thoughtful questions.
Need help with workplace or campus investigations? Contact A.W. Blan Workplace Legal Services at 916-333-9311 or visit www.workplacelegalservices.com to schedule a consultation.