Written by: Robyn Marsh

A Summary of our Investigation & Audit Services Annual Conference by Robyn Marsh

6 Jul 2021

Share article:

About the author:

Robyn Marsh
CONTENT & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER at the TCM group
If you would like to discuss Robyn's post in more detail, please contact Robyn at [email protected]

Tags:

The annual Investigations & Audits Conference was a milestone for The TCM Group, with nearly 300 people signing up to listen to our speakers. Clearly, they had something worth listening to. Led by Gary Rogers, Head of Investigations & Audits at TCM, he was accompanied by Patricia Grealish, Chief People Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant; Dominic Human, Head of HR and Resolution Consultant; Davinder Sandhu, Head of Learning & Development at UNISON; and Neil Fletcher, Resolution Consultant and Investigations Specialist at TCM.

A Gathering of the Experts

The conference provided guidance from global experts, with a breadth of industry experience, on how to avoid two key failures of organisations: condemnation without investigation and investigation as a destructive process. Too often, salacious press headlines uncover the consequences of failing to conduct a fair, thorough, and objective investigation. In the last four weeks, from the time this conference was held, these headlines broke national news:

Receptionist with ‘phobia of people’ wins £56k compensation for unfair dismissal – Personnel Today

Uber settled unfair dismissal case for $400,000, union claims – Daily Mail

Woman sacked for getting pregnant is awarded £300,000 in compensation – Metro

Our listeners crowded around their laptop screens in anticipation to hear how they could avoid such public and financial scandal. They were lucky enough to hear from our 4 wonderful guest speakers, covering a variety of topics, centred around the lifecycle of an investigation, from start-to-finish.

Patricia Grealish, Chief People Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, focused on the importance of building relationships, and effective communication within an organisation. She highlighted the vital role that managers and investigators play in shaping an organisation, before urging businesses to ask 3 key questions to ensure their investigations are fair, thorough and objective…

Dominic Human, one of our very own investigators, discussed the cognitive interviewing technique, one of the very latest principles of forensic psychology, which can be applied to the way in which workplace investigations are carried out.

Davinder Sandhu, Head of Learning and Development at Unison, discussed the role that trade unions can play, throughout the investigations process. She also shared some pointers and practical tips to help keep participants calm throughout the process.

Neil Fletcher, another of our investigation experts spoke on the need for adequate training to build the necessary competencies to conduct investigations. He mapped out the skillsets that he feels should be an essential requirement for those carrying out the process.

The takeaway

In essence, investigations involve real people, situations, and emotions. They can have lasting impacts on all parties and organisations involved, both financially and reputationally. Above all else, this conference served as a call to action to the principles that TCM holds dear: fairness, accountability, and resolution.

“Condemnation before investigation is the highest form of ignorance.”-Albert Einstein

If you missed out on the conference and would like to catch up… good news! You can view the full session recording below (or here):

You may also like to read

11 Dec 2023 | Robyn Marsh
Tips for attracting and retaining top talent
Attracting and retaining top talent is a key driver of organisational success. As leaders, we must embrace a multifaceted approach that not only attracts top-tier individuals but also fosters an environment where they can thrive and grow.
30 Nov 2023 | Robyn Marsh
The imperative of prioritising inclusion in organisations
Inclusion goes beyond mere representation—it's about creating an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
20 Nov 2023 | Robyn Marsh
Connecting company values with purpose and behaviours
Championing the fusion of company values with a powerful purpose and connected behaviours is a game-changer for organisational success. It fuels engagement, inspires authentic leadership, and sparks innovation.
15 Nov 2023 | Robyn Marsh
The strategic benefits of outsourcing
One strategic approach that has gained significant traction in recent years is the outsourcing of mediation, investigation, and coaching services.
07 Nov 2023 | Robyn Marsh
Unlocking success: the transformative power of skills development and training
Investing in skills development and training in the workplace is an investment in your organisation's long-term success.
02 Nov 2023 | Robyn Marsh
Shaping a vibrant company culture
Want to sculpt a thriving culture? Explore the transformative impact of leadership development, innovative HR policies, and strategic diagnostics and reviews.