The HR Investigations Podcast

Gen Z at Work: Workplace Priorities and Employee Relations Red Flags

In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey and special Gen Z’er guest, Madison Ebben, discuss generational differences and priorities, what Gen Z looks for at work, and how organizations can make some adjustments to improve employee engagement and retention of this dynamic generation.
Special guest:
Madison Ebben, SHRM-CP Executive Assistant | Event Manager
Key topics:
Review of Gen Z and this generation’s characteristics
Discuss what HR and business leaders need to know about Gen Z
Examine what Gen Z’ers really want from their employers
Discussing employee relations and things that Gen Z won’t tolerate that previous generations may have tolerated 
Review the Top 3 things that leaders need to do to fully engage their Gen Z talent to improve employee relations and minimize turnover
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

The Digital Edge in HR: How Software Transforms Internal Investigations

In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey and special guest, Deb Muller, Founder & CEO of employee relations case management software solution, HR Acuity, discuss the evolution of employee relations and investigations in the digital age. Deb Muller shares proactive approaches, emphasizing the importance of using technology to prevent incidents and improve employee relations. Deb shared her experience of working in a time when employee relations was not a strategic function, and how the landscape has changed with the increasing importance of centralized employee relations teams.
Key topics:
 
Examining the digital age of employee relations
KPIs for workplace improvement
Discussing the need for predictive indicators and the use of data to demonstrate the impact of employee relations on cost savings.
Discussing the importance of trust in the workplace, noting that employees who had experienced an investigation and resolution were more likely to recommend their company as a place to work. 
Investing in HR Technology and Strategies
Discussing the importance of investing in technology for HR functions, emphasizing that HR professionals should not be expected to operate without the same level of technology as other departments.
Highlighting the need for HR to move beyond reactive measures and focus on proactive strategies, such as job design and employee relations.
Link to HR Acuity resources:  https://www.hracuity.com/resources/
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

HR Insights: The Data Speaks

Ep: 44: HR Insights: The Data Speaks
In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey discusses some of the data from the 8thannual employee relations benchmark study provided by software company, HR Acuity.
Natalie shares important information regarding the trends noted in the benchmark study such as organizations seeing sharp increases in allegations of policy violations, behavioral issues, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation allegations.  
Key topics:
Examining 3 Key Trends from the 8th Annual Employee Relations Benchmark Study:
Policy violations, behavioral issues, discrimination, harassment or retaliation allegations and EEOC charges reached their highest levels since 2018
Mental health issues continued to be the primary factor behind case volumes, with 70% of organizations attributing increases to mental health-related challenges
Organizations are starting to respond to continually growing case volumes by examining data to identify patternsand predict and prevent future issues
Reviewing strategies on how to address the increase in allegations and increasing employee relations’ case volumes
Examining the importance of using data and analytics to drive meaningful organizational change
Examining the increase in mental health issues to more clearly define root causes and develop action plans to reduce employee complaints
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

HR Recharge: Strategies For Managing Your Own Well Being

In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey discusses her observations of capacity issues and the stress and strain that is affecting HR and Employee Relations professionals. Natalie shares some sage advice in taking ownership of one’s workload, assessing leadership support or lack thereof, and some best practices in reducing stress levels and improving one’s state of well-being.
 Key topics:
Examining workloads for HR and ER and increasing caseloads
Discussing the need to get real with oneself and size the capacity problem
Examining why “suffering in silence” is a lousy strategy
Evaluating the importance of documentation, specifically action steps in managing cases to accumulate historical data
Examining how historical data becomes a platform for meaningful change
Reviewing the differences in negotiating styles for “managing up” with leadership to obtain the necessary resources
Natalie shares exciting news:
Launch of the 2nd edition of How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals in April 2025
Launch of the How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Workshop for HR & ER Professionals
Launch of the rpchr.com website in March 2025
Launch of the new RPC Academy, an online training portal at rpchr.com with access to Natalie’s content, launching in April 2025
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Navigating Employee Relations: Insights and Trends from a Senior HR Leader in Hospitality

In this episode, Natalie Ivey “talks shop” with special guest, Michele O’Neil, the Senior Director of Work Environment with Marriott International. Michele is a seasoned veteran with over 37 years in human resource management and employee relations. Natalie discusses with Michele the current trends in employee relations, particularly in the hospitality industry.
 Key topics:
Allegations of harassment and bullying
Employees increasingly reporting issues that are increasing their anxiety and affecting their mental health
Managing work/life balance
Performance Management issues
Best practices in leadership to minimize the risk of employee relations’ issues
Consistency in enforcement of organizational policies
Training leaders on the ADA to ensure they understand the “dos and don’ts” when it comes to employee mental health issues
Core competencies that Employee Relations’ team members need to possess to be successful in navigating the current challenges in employee relations
Recognizing that the words “mental health” can be abused by some employees who simply don’t want to be held accountable
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Documenting the Details: 3 Key Tips for Investigative Note taking and Documentation

In this episode, podcast host Natalie Ivey shares 3 Key Tips from her best-in-class internal investigations training programs on how to improve note taking and documentation when conducting investigative interviews. Natalie shares the importance of proper planning, the use of templates, how to navigate difficult conversations with interviewees, and especially Subjects.
Key topics:
If you Fail to Plan Your Investigation You are Planning for Your Investigation to Fail
Identifying preparation strategies to improve interview documentation
Examining the negative impacts when investigative documentation isn’t effective and is done very poorly
Reviewing a strategy to get interviewees back on track after going off on tangents
Identifying critical details that need to be in every single document of conversation with interviewees to avoid creating holes that an investigator later needs to fill
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77
 

Standing Your Ground: Assertive Communication with an Aggressive Boss or Interviewee

In today’s show podcast host Natalie Ivey talks with special guest, Ivna Curi, who is the podcast host of Speak Your Mind Unapologetically and author of the boos Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership. This show is part 2 of a 2-part series and explores the dynamics of working with an aggressive boss or investigative interviewee who communicates abruptly and forcefully. 
 
Key topics:
Defining the difference between being assertive, being aggressive, and passive-aggressive
Examining the impact to team dynamics when a boss is behaving aggressively
Understanding the root causes to aggressive and passive-aggressive behavior
Reviewing key tips and techniques on how to handle an aggressive boss or an interviewee who is being difficult in an investigative interview
Ivna Curi
Communications expert and podcast host of Unapologetically Speaking
Author of Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Breaking the Silence: How to Communicate Assertively with a Passive Boss

In today’s show, podcast host Natalie Ivey talks with special guest, Ivna Curi, who is the podcast host of Speak Your Mind Unapologetically and author of the book Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership.
 
Key topics:
Defining what happens when you have a passive boss who doesn’t know how to communicate assertively
Examining what happens to teams when a leader doesn’t communicate assertively and support the team
Recognizing the underlying reasons for failing to communicate assertively: fear
Examining the behaviors of a passive boss
Reviewing key tips and techniques on how to handle a passive boss
 
Communications expert and podcast host of Unapologetically Speaking
Author of Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Seal of Honor: Leadership, Accountability, and Lessons from the Frontline

In today’s show, podcast host Natalie Ivey, talks with special guest, retired Navy Seal turned HR Executive, Tom DeJarnette. This episode focuses on an issue that is continuing to come up with HR and Employee Relations professionals, which is the issue of accountability almost becoming a “dirty word” in business. Performance management is so important in business; yet when managers try to hold employees accountable it is turning into complaints of bullying and harassment.
 Key topics:
Identifying why accountability in some organizations has become so difficult and is turning into serious employee drama
Recognizing the performance management challenges leaders face when having crucial performance discussions with team members and how to improve them
Laying the foundation for a culture with strong leaders who know how to build trust with teams
Guest, Tom DeJarnette shares his lessons from leadership in the Navy Seals that translate to employers on how to establish a culture of accountability from the beginning of an employee’s relationship with the organization
Creating strong organizational values that foster an environment that values personal responsibility and accountability 
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Write It Down: The Key To Performance Management

In today’s show, podcast host Natalie Ivey, discusses the importance of why mangers need to document employee performance and behavioral issues. Natalie will provide a simple framework for managers to jot down their thoughts before meeting with an employee to discuss a performance or behavioral issue.
This episode focuses on basic “how to” skills for holding a coaching and course correction feedback discuss with employees.  Additionally, Natalie shares the importance of coaching and documentation before managers simply rush to issue a disciplinary warning as this is often what sparks internal investigations into allegations of discrimination and harassment.
 Key topics:
Creating a framework for “words to say” to help managers prepare for coaching discussions with employees
The importance of preparation before sitting down with an employee or meeting virtually to discuss performance issues
Identifying what the coaching conversation should sound like, especially when handling a behavioral issue
Visit RPC HR for show notes and more information.
Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here:https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77