Transcription of Grievance Procedures

Recording + Transcribing Formal Interviews = Good Business Sense

As an employer or manager, it’s likely that you’ll have to conduct a formal interview at some point with your employees.  And whilst it won’t be something you’ll relish, it is a fundamental part of running a business.

So, if you want to make sure you get it absolutely right and leave no margin for error then it makes good business sense to record the interview and have it transcribed professionally.

And there’s a whole raft of other reasons, too.  Here’s just a few…

Valuable Evidence

Grievance meetings need to be conducted professionally and adhere to a specific procedure.  If it is carried out correctly, recorded and professionally transcribed, then it’s much more likely to stand up in a court of law, as evidence, if required.

It’s Facts Not Feelings

Knowing that you’re being recorded in an interview is a good way to keep your emotions in check.  This is true not only for the interviewee but also for the interviewer who needs to remain unbiased in their questioning in order to ascertain the real facts. It can also prevent the meeting from becoming too heated.

Maintaining Professionalism

As an employer, if your staff are aware that grievance meetings are recorded, transcribed and investigated thoroughly, then it speaks volumes about how seriously you take your HR issues. Projecting a professional image is just as important to your employees as it is to your customers.

Eliminating Retrospect

With a clear recording and professional transcript of a grievance interview, then the evidence is available for all the necessary parties to see.  Neither the interviewer nor the interviewee can deny or alter what they said in the interview. 

Long-term Investment

Recording and transcribing a formal interview can also save time, money and effort in the long run.  The whole investigation will probably take much less time to undertake if it’s recorded because people are more likely to be open and honest.

Quicker & More Accurate Results

Traditionally, the minutes of a disciplinary/grievance interview would have been taken down by hand, perhaps by a shorthand secretary.  This leaves opportunities for misinterpretation and an inaccurate transcript.  However, with a sound recording, the transcriptionist can type the file as soon as the interview concludes and return it within a short space of time.  If required, the interview can even be typed up verbatim so that every single uttered word is included and errors or omissions are significantly reduced.

A Tool for Reflection

Recording formal interviews is also a great way of assessing interviewers.  They can be used as training tools for new staff and for double-checking that the interviewer has followed the correct interview procedure, as well.

I hope you can see that there are many benefits to recording and transcribing formal interviews.  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly team here at Fingertips to discuss your transcription needs.  It really does make good business sense!