The HR Investigations Podcast

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
 

The Importance of Understanding Compliance When Managing a Global Team with Special Guest Daniela Uribe

In today’s show we spend time with Daniela Uribe, a global entrepreneur, shoe designer, and content creator who launched her own namesake luxury footwear brand, Daniela Uribe.
The Daniela Uribe line embodies her distinctive style along with her electrifying personality and her striking designs that incorporate technological comfort with a sensual, lavish look. Her shoes are guaranteed to make the wearer feel comfortable, powerful, and prominent.
Daniela will share her experience in launching her global footwear brand and the importance of understanding an employer’s regulatory compliance obligations in foreign countries.  
Key topics:
Recognizing the differences in managing employees outside of the U.S.
Identifying some regulatory compliance risk factors in talent acquisition, managing payroll, and performance management
The importance of organizational values and transparent communication with employees to minimize risk
Best practices in establishing a business in a foreign country
A terrific bonus for listeners of The HR-investigations Podcast is a special discount of 15% off any shoes in her line.
This is a limited time offer and can be used on summer sale items!Use coupon code: RPC15http://www.daniela-uribe.com
 

Investigating a Wage and Hour Issue

Ep. 35 Investigating a Wage and Hour Issue: Exempt | Non-Exempt Classifications
Welcome to the HR Investigations Podcast: Exploring the Issues, Challenges, Strategies, and Solutions, sponsored by RPC Human Resources, an HR consulting, training, and private investigations company. 
In today’s episode we review the pending change to salary levels for Exempt worker classifications and how the new Biden Administration rules may affect employers, some pending litigation, and we’ll discuss how to investigate employee allegations of wrongful classification.”
In this episode we will explore:
The Biden Administration’s proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act salary levels for Exempt workers
Current employer lawsuits filed opposing the Administration’s changes to the rules
What to do right now while there is uncertainty
How to handle an employee who claims wrongful classification
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

Mitigating the Risk of EEOC Charges

Episode 34: Mitigating the Risk of EEOC Charges from Your Hiring Process
Welcome to the HR Investigations Podcast: Exploring the Issues, Challenges, Strategies, and Solutions, sponsored by RPC Human Resources, an HR consulting, training, and private investigations company. 
In today’s episode we focus on some “do’s and don’ts” for recruiters and hiring managers during the talent acquisitions process. Our focus will be on strategies to mitigate the risk of receiving an EEOC charge of discrimination. In this episode, we will review:
Best practices in candidate sourcing to increase applicant diversity
How to screen candidates without running afoul of EEO laws
Using AI: some pros and cons
“Do’s and Don’ts” When Documenting Interview Notes
How to create and document an applicant screening process to compare candidates "apples to apples”
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