Investigation meeting script template

£4.50

Efficiently conduct investigations with our structured meeting script, promoting fairness, consistency, and thoroughness in gathering evidence

Investigation meeting script template
2026 Ready
Specifications
Access 12 months (includes updates)
Length 470 words · 2 pages
Jurisdiction England, Wales and Scotland
Based on UK employment law, ACAS guidance
Last review 01/08/2026
Next review 01/02/2027
Delivery Instant download
Formats .doc · .txt · email

Download .doc

Copy [to paste]

Email
Template

1   [Welcome]

1.1   Good morning/afternoon, [employee's name]. Thank you for joining me. I have asked to meet with you today to discuss an issue that has been brought to our attention.

2   [Purpose]

2.1   The purpose of this meeting is to investigate a complaint/allegation that has been made against you, and to allow you to respond to these allegations.

2.2   Before we begin, I want to make it clear that this is an investigation and not a disciplinary hearing. The purpose of the investigation is to gather information, hear your version of events and any mitigating factors, and to determine whether or not there is a case for disciplinary action to be taken.

I also want to let you know that the investigation will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner, and that you will be given the opportunity to respond to the

Premium content

This is a limited preview

To view in full, make a purchase
£4.50

Need the complete Investigations process?

Explore the Investigations templates toolkit

What is an investigation meeting script?

An investigation meeting script for an employer is a document that outlines the structure and content of a meeting that is conducted as part of an investigation into an employee's alleged misconduct or poor performance. The purpose of the script is to ensure that the employer conducts a fair and thorough investigation that respects the employee's right to a fair hearing.

The purpose of an investigation meeting script is to provide a structured framework and guidelines for conducting an investigation meeting. It helps ensure consistency, fairness, and thoroughness throughout the investigation process. The script serves several key purposes:

  1. Clarity: It provides clear instructions and guidance to the investigator on the sequence of events and topics to cover during the meeting. This ensures that important aspects of the investigation are not overlooked or missed.

  2. Standardisation: By following a scripted format, the investigation process can be standardised across different cases and investigators. This helps maintain consistency and fairness in how investigations are conducted within an organisation.

  3. Thoroughness: The script ensures that all relevant questions, topics, and evidence are addressed during the meeting. It helps the investigator gather comprehensive information, statements, and evidence to make well-informed decisions or recommendations.

  4. Documentation: A scripted meeting helps ensure accurate and consistent documentation of the investigation process. It provides a record of the questions asked, responses received, and any additional follow-up actions required.

  5. Compliance: Following a scripted approach can help ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies or procedures. It helps investigators adhere to established protocols and guidelines, reducing the risk of procedural errors or bias.

  6. Impartiality: The script assists in maintaining impartiality during the investigation process. It helps the investigator focus on gathering relevant facts, listening to all parties involved, and avoiding personal biases or assumptions.

  7. Reference and Review: The scripted investigation meeting can serve as a reference point for future review or for presenting findings to relevant stakeholders. It provides a clear record of the investigation process and aids in the preparation of a comprehensive investigation report.

Overall, an investigation meeting script promotes a structured and consistent approach to conducting investigations, ensuring fairness, thoroughness, and adherence to established protocols. It helps investigators gather accurate information, maintain objectivity, and document the investigation process effectively.

The wider HR process

Related HR resources and workflow

Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Investigation meeting script, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.

Previous
Letters
Investigation meeting invitation (to subject of allegation) letter

If an employee is suspected of misconduct, the employer must carry out a fair and proper investigation into the allegations and determine the facts of the case through gathering evidence.

This
Investigation meeting script
Next
Forms
Investigation report form

A structured investigation report form template to record findings, evidence, and outcomes from workplace investigations consistently.

Compliance

UK employment law and best practice

  • The ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures: This legislation sets out the best practices for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct or poor performance in the workplace, including the requirement for the employer to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.

  • The Equality Act 2010: This legislation requires that any investigation and subsequent disciplinary action taken by the employer does not discriminate against the employee on the basis of any protected characteristic, such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

  • The Data Protection Act 2018: This legislation requires that any personal data collected during the investigation process is handled and stored in accordance with data protection laws.

  • The Human Rights Act 1998: This legislation requires that the employee's right to a fair hearing is respected during the investigation process.

  • The Employment Rights Act 1996: This legislation requires that employers follow a fair and reasonable process when conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct or poor performance.

  • The GDPR: This legislation requires that employers obtain explicit consent from employees before collecting their personal data during the investigation process, and that they handle the data in accordance with GDPR regulations.

You may also need these resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this in my small business?

Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.

Is it compliant with 2026 UK employment law?

Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.

Can I customise it for my organisation?

Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.

Do I get instant access to it?

Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.

What if I need more help, not just this template?

If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Investigation meeting script template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.

Why should I use this Investigation meeting script template, and not AI to generate it?

AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing investigations processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

RB
Ruth Brock Chief Executive Officer The Hygiene Bank
Get started today

HR confidence starts here

Whether you employ 5 people or 50, hrdocbox gives you the structure, documents and expertise needed to manage employees professionally and legally.

Download your FREE UK employment contract template

Professionally written and fully compliant with UK employment law

Download FREE contract
Free UK employment contract template