For counsel
HR Expert Witness & Employment Practices
Independent HR expertise for employment-related matters involving workplace practices, People processes and organizational decision-making.
Introduction
Employment disputes often involve more than what a policy says on paper.
They may turn on how workplace practices were implemented, how employee concerns were handled, what documentation exists, how managers and HR responded, and whether the organization's actions were consistent with established HR practices.
I provide independent HR consulting and expert-witness support in employment-related matters where experienced People and HR perspective can help clarify workplace practices, processes and decision-making.
Areas of expertise
Where the analysis is grounded.
- Employee Relations
- Workplace investigations
- Performance management
- Corrective action and disciplinary processes
- Termination practices
- HR documentation
- Manager and HR decision-making
- Organizational restructurings
- Workforce planning and talent decisions
- Compensation practices
- HR policies and procedures
- HR operations
- Workplace conflict
- Escalation and employee concerns
- Building and operating People functions
What I can support
Scope shaped to the matter.
- Review of HR policies, procedures, records and documentation
- Evaluation of workplace practices and HR decision-making
- Analysis of investigation processes
- Review of performance-management and disciplinary practices
- Assessment of HR and manager actions within the context of common professional practices
- Evaluation of organizational and People processes
- Written expert reports where appropriate
- Deposition and trial testimony when retained and qualified
- Consultation with counsel regarding HR practices and workplace processes
Independent analysis
"An expert's role is not to advocate for the employer or the employee. It is to independently evaluate the facts, processes and workplace practices at issue through the lens of professional HR experience."
My approach is grounded in the available evidence, the specific organizational context and established People and HR practices. Where an issue requires a legal conclusion, that determination belongs to qualified legal counsel and the court.
Experience behind the analysis
My perspective is grounded in more than 14 years of HR experience across startups, high-growth technology companies, healthcare organizations, established enterprises and global teams.
My work has included complex Employee Relations, workplace investigations, performance and termination matters, organizational restructurings, compensation, HR operations, leadership coaching, executive advising, and building and leading People functions.
I have worked both inside organizations and as an external advisor, giving me practical experience with not only how HR policies are written, but how People decisions are actually made, documented, communicated and implemented.
Matters I may be a fit for
Questions that turn on HR practice.
- Whether HR processes were followed consistently
- How an investigation was conducted
- Performance-management practices
- Workplace documentation
- Escalation of employee concerns
- Manager and HR responsibilities
- Organizational restructuring processes
- Compensation or People practices
- How HR functions commonly operate in practice
Engagement process
Five steps, clearly bounded.
- 01
Conflict and scope review
A short check for conflicts, then a clear read on scope and fit.
- 02
Materials review
Structured review of the policies, records and documentation at issue.
- 03
Independent analysis
Assessment of the practices and processes against professional HR experience.
- 04
Consultation and reporting
Working sessions with counsel and, where appropriate, a written report.
- 05
Testimony, if required
Deposition and trial testimony when retained and qualified.
Discuss a matter
Discuss a Matter
If you're evaluating whether HR expertise may be useful in an employment-related matter, I'm available for an initial conversation to discuss scope, timing and fit.
Available for HR expert-witness consulting and testimony in employment-related matters.
Don't Tell HR provides HR consulting and expert-witness services related to workplace and People practices. I do not provide legal advice or legal conclusions. Scope and opinions are determined based on the facts, materials and professional issues relevant to each engagement.