The Investigations Workshop 2026

A collaboration between the Industrial Relations Society of WA and The Piddington Society, the Investigations Workshop takes you through the key issues of workplace investigations from before they start through to making findings.

A full-day event across seven core areas, you will hear from legal, investigatory and HR experts to develop your foundational skills and understanding in this growing area of practice. The programme covers identification of problems worth investigating, preparation of starting an investigation, drafting allegations, interviewing skills, gathering and assessing evidence, drafting final reports, operationalising report findings, and ethical issues.

The Workshop is for lawyers, investigators, industrial relations practitioners, HR professionals and others involved in workplace investigations.

Attendees will be eligible for up to six CPD points across CA2 (Professional Skills), CA3 (Ethics and Professional Responsibility) and CA4 (Substantive Law).

Opening address: The perspective of the Fair Work Commission when dismissals following an investigation end up in the Commission.

Speakers: Deputy President Peter O'Keeffe (Fair Work Commission)

Identifying, designing and planning a trauma-informed investigation

Speaker: Philippa Lonie (Green Shoots)

Representing & supporting employees in the investigation process

Speakers: Mark Elliott (Independent Education Union)

Gathering and assessing evidence, natural justice and interview skills

Speakers: Sarah McLeod (Modern Legal), Rebecca Taseff (RLT Consulting)

Writing investigation reports

Speakers: Olga Klimczak (HSF Kramer)

Operationalising investigation outcomes

Speakers: Tom Klaassen (Rio Tinto)

Ethical dilemmas

Speakers: Commissioner Toni Emmanuel (WA Industrial Relations Commission) and Heather Millar SC (Shoreline Chambers)

Attendees will be eligible for up to six CPD points.

Note:

Practitioner ID numbers are issued by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Information from the Board is available here. The Piddington Society require these to issue CPD certificates. If you do not provide one then we may contact you following the event.

Meals provided throughout this Workshop, with collegiality and networking to follow at the end of the day.