Equip yourself with the strategies to prevent bullying, resolve complex complaints, and manage underperformance for a compliant, high-performing workplace.
Master the complexities of workplace dynamics with our comprehensive course, Managing Misconduct & Complaints. Designed for managers, human resources professionals, and business owners, this program provides the essential knowledge required to navigate difficult workplace behaviors effectively. Unmanaged misconduct and underperformance can isolate workers, reduce productivity, and create severe health and safety risks. This course emphasizes a proactive approach to risk management, ensuring your organization remains not only legally compliant under New Zealand frameworks but also psychologically safe and high-performing.
The curriculum begins by establishing a clear definition of workplace bullying, distinguishing it from reasonable management actions such as setting performance standards or providing constructive feedback. You will explore the specific duties required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), examining how psychosocial hazards impact worker health. We delve into prevention strategies, including the creation of transparent policies, the importance of leadership training, and methods for assessing risk using both leading and lagging indicators.
Once the groundwork for prevention is laid, the course guides you through the critical procedures for investigating and resolving complaints. You will examine the full spectrum of resolution mechanisms, from informal conversations and mediation to rigorous formal investigations. Key topics include applying the principles of natural justice, maintaining neutrality, supporting all parties involved, and understanding when external agencies like the Employment Relations Authority may become involved.
The final chapters shift focus to managing underperformance, a distinct issue often confused with misconduct. You will learn a best-practice, five-step framework for identifying performance gaps and implementing Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs). The course also covers the advanced legalities of dismissal, including procedural fairness and the specific rules applicable to small businesses, helping you avoid unfair dismissal claims while maintaining a productive workforce.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
PeopleFirst Compliance Academy delivers practical CPD for HR professionals across Australia and New Zealand. We help teams stay compliant with evolving workplace laws, covering wage rules, psychosocial risk, investigations, misconduct, termination, hybrid work, and employee classifications through clear, actionable training.
