Insights

Whether to audio-record interviews can be a contentious issue. As investigators, we are often questioned, sometimes by opposing counsel at disciplinary hearings or tribunals, why we did, or did not, audio-record an interview.

Benard + Associates is pleased to offer a new service to complement the investigation and mediation services we currently offer our regulatory clients. As part of the spectrum of complaint resolution, Benard + Associates is now offering professional decision writing services to assist our clients in resolving matters in a timely manner.

Anyone who has attended a course or workshop on investigations will have likely heard the instructor emphasize the importance of being unbiased in your investigation. However, despite this sound advice bias still finds a way to creep into some investigations. The result can be catastrophic for everyone.

Lately I have been giving a lot of thought to what it is that makes us great and what separates our company from others. More importantly, I have been struggling to figure out how to tactfully point this out without sounding egotistical or boastful. After all, I want people to respect us and to want to work with us.Then it hit me – Donald Trump!

The weather was stormy, but that didn’t prevent Mayor Mike Savage and local regulatory professionals from attending Benard + Associates #HalifaxGrandOpening on Thursday September 10, 2015 at the Westin Nova Scotian.

The use of surveillance is common in some areas of investigative work, while in other areas it has not been relied upon as heavily. There has been controversy over its use and as a result there is no shortage of case law where the issues of surveillance and the manner in which it is carried out has been considered.

Sexual abuse investigations are one of the most challenging types of regulatory investigations to conduct. The following tips are a brief overview of some key things investigators should consider when taking on these important cases.

What do you do when a workplace investigation does not support the allegations of harassment? We believe understanding the reasons why and the underlying dynamic will go a long way in guiding employers towards  making the right decisions following such investigations.

Incidents involving unlicensed practitioners are increasing across the United States and Canada, and in many jurisdictions, combating illegal practitioners falls to the regulatory body.This article describes the scope of the problem and explains methods for preventing unlicensed practice and identifying unlicensed practitioners by using investigative techniques.The article also addresses the value of collaborating with other organizations and the need for the resources to investigate unlicensed practitioners.

When investigators testify, they have the opportunity to demonstrate their credibility and professionalism. To do so, they should be aware of techniques for keeping calm and providing thoughtful, responsive answers. One important technique a skilled witness uses is to focus on the limits of the actual question, rather than to interpret it and over answer.