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Investigation Institute · Conducting Effective School and Workplace Investigations

Run a fair investigation, from the first complaint to the final report.

A hands-on day for HR administrators and school leaders, built around one case from start to finish. Led by attorney Paula Forbes, J.D., with more than 37 years of legal experience in schools and workplaces.

Register for the Workshop
Breakfast, lunch and the investigator handbook included · Bringing three or more from one district? Ask about the team rate.
DateTuesday, December 15, 2026
Time7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
PlaceOsborne 370, St. Paul
Investment$395

It starts on an ordinary day

An email comes in, or someone knocks on your door. From that moment, what you do next can affect an employee's livelihood, a student's experience and a community's trust.

You have to decide what to look into, who to talk to first, what you can promise about confidentiality and which notices Minnesota law requires. Most HR leaders learned all of this on the job, one hard case at a time.

A practice day, not a legal update

Most investigation trainings tell you the rules. This one has you use them. You'll work through one school-based case from the first complaint to the final report, practicing each decision with colleagues and getting feedback as you go.

Paula calls it the Finding Human approach: fairness, accountability and neutral fact-finding at the center, with real attention to the people on every side of the table.

The case

One case, all day

At an off-campus training, an employee reports repeated comments by two colleagues about immigration and politics, and asks to stay anonymous. More complaints follow, and an email thread starts to circulate. At every step, you'll decide what happens next, without assuming anyone broke a policy.

Five skills you'll take back to work

  1. Intake and planningClarify the allegations, find the policies that apply, preserve evidence and decide on interim steps.
  2. Notices and interview openingsDeliver a Tennessen warning, handle representation requests, and answer "Do I have to respond?" and "Who will see this?"
  3. Neutral questioningUse the Open → Probe → Confirm model with complainants, witnesses and respondents.
  4. Evidence to findingsWeigh conflicting accounts, look for corroboration and tie each finding to policy.
  5. Reports and closureWrite a clear report, communicate the outcome and watch for retaliation.

The day at a glance

Morning

7:30Breakfast and registration
8:00Case briefing
8:20Intake and planning
9:05When to call counsel or an outside investigator
10:00Tennessen warnings and interview openings, practiced in threes
11:00Interviewing and documenting

Afternoon

11:45Lunch
12:15AI in workplace investigations: privacy, approved tools, bias and keeping humans accountable for findings
1:00From evidence to findings and closure
2:00Pitfalls and lessons, with closing Q&A
3:00Adjourn

Times may shift slightly. Registered participants receive the final schedule.

Register for the Workshop

Who this day is for

HR directors and administratorsPrincipals and assistant principalsDistrict and charter school leadersAnyone who receives complaints or oversees investigations

New investigators get a clear process to follow. Experienced leaders get a consistent one their whole team can share.

Leave with the tools, not just notes

  • Paula's investigator handbook, based on her 50-page training guide
  • A planning checklist and interview question prompts
  • A Tennessen notice checklist for interview openings
  • A report outline and an evidence-to-findings worksheet
Your facilitator

Paula Forbes, J.D.

Paula is an attorney, educator, facilitator and executive coach with more than 37 years of legal experience, including years leading legal work for a large urban school district. She has taught Education and the Law as an adjunct professor for more than 20 years. As founder of The Finding Human Institute, she brings legal practice and human-centered leadership together in the hard work of organizational accountability.

  • Attorney
  • Educator
  • Facilitator
  • Executive Coach
  • Trained CTI Co-Active Coach

Questions

Do I need investigation experience?

No. You'll practice a structured process step by step and talk through how to adapt it to your role.

Will we cover Minnesota law?

Yes. The day covers data practices and the notices and rights that come up most, including Tennessen, Weingarten and Garrity. How they apply always depends on the setting and the facts.

Is this Title IX certification?

No. This is a general investigation workshop. It doesn't replace specialized Title IX training or legal advice on a specific case.

Can my district pay by invoice?

Yes. Email Paula at paula@thefindinghumaninstitute.com and she'll send one for your purchase order.

Is there a team rate?

Yes, for three or more from one district or organization. Email Paula for details.

Plan your day

Date
Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Time
7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Place
Osborne 370, St. Paul, MN
Investment
$395, including breakfast, lunch, the handbook and all tools
Parking
Lawson Ramp and metered street parking
Questions
paula@thefindinghumaninstitute.com
Reserve My Seat
Email Paula to reserve your seat or request an invoice.

Walk into your next investigation with a plan

One day of practice, a handbook you'll keep using and a process your whole team can share.

Register for the Workshop
Tuesday, December 15 · Osborne 370, St. Paul · $395