Check out Natalie's REVISED book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here: https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

Visit RPC HR for more information.

Visit RPC HR for more information.

Check out Natalie's book How to Conduct Internal Investigations: A Practical Guide for Human Resource Professionals here: https://tinyurl.com/y39s7n77

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

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

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 patterns and 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

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

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

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