Guide to HR Investigations Leadership Training Program

As a leader with Cadence…. There are situations where you will need to conduct investigations in order to handle some type of conflict.

Reasons for Automatic Suspension An employee is accused of verbally or physically mistreating a child. An employee leaves a child unsupervised. An employee gives the child a wrong bottle of breast milk/formula/or food item they are allergic to. There are 3 situations that require an automatic suspension.

How Suspensions Work Never be afraid to suspend any employee at any time for any reason. It is paid (no hardship). Good tool to buy time to do your investigation. Before suspending ask the employee to write a statement. Tell the employee that they are being put on paid suspension, pending an investigation, and that investigations may take 2 to 3 days to complete and someone will contact them with the decision after the investigation has been completed. This is a verbal conversation there is no paperwork. Inform your RD by phone or email. Suspending an employee is never easy and can be very emotional. Your role is to stay calm and help the employee to stay calm. It is important to get the employee’s written statement - If you don’t, the employee may have time to change story or add extra issues to the statement.

Handling Emotions Make sure the environment is right – allow for privacy for the employee to write their statement Ensure confidentiality of the situation Help control emotions Consider your own body language and emotions when you are dealing with the employee and the overall situation

Working with HR Send statements to your HR Regional Manager. Work with HR to create a strategy. Decisions will be made together with school leadership/HR/RD. Your input is needed and appreciated. Most investigations lead to a write up or a performance improvement plan. The decision is one that is not made until all of the facts, written statements and information is discussed with HR and the Management team.

After the Suspension You will call in the employee and give them their write up or termination notice. Send signed copy to HR for unemployment documentation. Get with HR to determine your method for reporting suspension hours to payroll. Send Payroll a Status Change Form showing the termination if employee was terminated.

For Additional Support hrdept@cadence-education.com 480-455-3155