You'll want to create a written report of the investigation once you've finished interviewing employees and witnesses. Decide how you're going to structure your report and categorize the information you have.  You may have physical evidence, such as copies of emails or photographs, that you want to include in the report as exhibits. Create an outline, grouping similar notes and documents together. It can be helpful to create a timeline of the incident or series of incidents that gave rise to the complaint. In your report, stick solely to facts that you are able to prove or confirm with evidence. Don't include the feelings or beliefs of employees or witnesses unless they are necessary to explain the employee's motivation to act. For example, suppose you have an employee who complained that their immediate supervisor was sexually harassing them. The supervisor told you that the employee had flirted with them and they believed their advances were welcome. In context, that belief explains why the supervisor acted the way they did. Your report should provide the employment background of each employee involved. Include their job titles and how long they've been with the company. If the accused employee has a pattern of similar behavior, such as being the subject of similar complaints filed by other employees, you might include that information in your report as well. Sometimes employees have an understandable reason for violating a workplace policy. Make note in your report of anything that indicates you should be lenient with this particular employee. For example, suppose an employee has complained that a coworker was taking too many breaks. When you talk to the coworker, you find that they were simply doing what their previous supervisor had done because they thought it was okay. That employee still completes their work on schedule, despite the fact that they take too many breaks. These would all be mitigating factors. Depending on your position in the company, you may be responsible for disciplining the employee yourself. You also may be asked to make a recommendation to someone else.  If you have an employee handbook, quote the disciplinary procedures outlined there. If you are deviating from your standard procedure due to mitigating factors, explain clearly why the exception is being made. Especially if there has been a threat of a lawsuit, or if you plan on terminating an employee, you may want a second opinion. Getting an objective third party to validate your decision may protect you if an employee decides to come after you. If there is a threat of a lawsuit, have your attorney look over your investigation report and give their advice before you take any action. Once you've completed your report, provide a copy of the report to the employees involved. The report itself should not be shared with any other employees. If as a result of the investigation you have to terminate employees, be careful about employee gossip. Warn all the employees you interviewed during the investigation that they are not to discuss the situation amongst themselves.
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One-sentence summary -- Organize the information you've obtained. Summarize the facts of the incident. Provide basic information about the employees involved. Include any mitigating factors. Decide whether any employees will be disciplined. Get someone else to validate your conclusion. Keep all information and findings confidential.


Volunteering is a good way to feel good about yourself and a great way to give back to the community and to see that you have so much to offer to the world. Find a form of volunteering that fits your talents, whether it's teaching people to read or just talking to them. Make a habit of doing it at least a few times a month. Once you start volunteering, you'll see that there are plenty of people who think you are worthwhile, and that you shouldn't have spent so much time being down on yourself.  You can get involved by teaching adults or children to read, cleaning up a local park, volunteer at a local library or bookstore, or volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Depending on your skill set, there might be specific forms of volunteering available to you. For example, lawyers often can take pro bono cases, or house architects can help build housing for free. Continuing to keep a journal after you've done CBT, or if you have yet to try CBT, because it can help you go down your path to feeling good about yourself. You should write in it at least once or twice a week and chart your progress, noting the things you do to make yourself feel better as well as those that make you feel worse. It can help start a path to happiness but there will always be some obstacles or days when you feel less than ideal. It's important to be honest and to always ask yourself what can make you feel better.  Remember that you're on a journey and that it will take some time. Be patient and kind to yourself. Know it takes times to work. Take the time to read over your journal at least once a month. This will help you see how much you have grown. If you are feeling sad, accept that it is normal and sometimes even good to feel sad. However, you also can control your emotions and decide not to feel sad if you don’t want to. Experiment with what will make you happy, or ask friends for help. Most people have a go-to activity that makes them feel better.  Examples include fishing, shopping, going on hikes, working on a house project, meditating, bowling, seeing friends, exercising, and writing. If it's daytime, open up the window and let in some fresh air and sunlight. If it's nighttime, put on some clean pajamas and curl up with a favorite book, movie, or CD. Take a warm bath or shower if you are feeling stressed. Imagine the water washing away your worries. Also try to create your own peace rituals. When you're angry or stressed out, take three long, slow, deep breaths. Turn on some of your favorite music. Find ways to calm your spirit, and return to those practices whenever you feel anxious. Know it's okay to be upset. The sooner you can address the problem, the sooner you'll feel better. Find a notebook and write down places you'd like to visit, experiences you'd like to have, people you'd like to meet, and skills you'd like to learn. A dream list is a great start to creating a life filled with fun, adventure, and interesting experiences. Put a box next to each item on your list so you can check it off when it happens. Having an exciting plan for the future, and making it a priority to actually accomplish it, can help you feel good about yourself because you'll feel like you have a lot to look forward to. Make sure the adventures on your list are actually attainable, no matter how outlandish they are. Try to avoid discouraging yourself by writing down something you can never accomplish. Think about what it would take to live like your role model, whether it's your mom, Shakira, or your math teacher. Think about how generously she treats people, how she reacts to disappointing or insulting situations, and how graciously he lives every tiny moment of life and enjoys the purpose of living. Especially if you are feeling low, close your eyes and imagine how your role model would have handled the situation. Using an outside source of inspiration can help you envision what you would do in challenging situations, and will make you feel like you can overcome adversity. If you want to continue feeling good about yourself, then you may need help. You have to lean on your friends, siblings, parents, a significant other if you have one, and any other important people in your life. This can include your coworkers, neighbors, or classmates. You need to turn to people in times of crisis and have a listening ear help you out when you need help. You also just want to keep good, kindhearted people around so you can feel excited about what life has in store for you.  Though achieving your goals is important, so is being social. Make it a habit to spend time with other people at least a few times a week. It's important to spend time with your loved ones, but there is always time to meet new people. Having a variety of friends and loved ones in your life will enhance your perspective and will make you feel even better about yourself.
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One-sentence summary --
Volunteer. Continue to keep a journal. Cheer yourself up when you need it. Start a dream list. Get inspired by a role model. Maintain a strong support network.