Pragal Rechtsanwälte and the law firm SCHOMERUS will continue their joint “Law & Risk” webinar series in June. In compact online events, the speakers will examine practice-relevant issues at the interfaces of employment law, compliance and commercial criminal law.
On 25 June 2026, the third webinar will address the topic “Internal Investigations – The Employee Interview: Questioning and Consequences”. Following the previous episode’s focus on the legally compliant initiation of an internal investigation, this event will now turn to the practical conduct and conclusion of internal investigations.
Interviewing employees is one of the most demanding tasks in internal fact-finding measures. Even in advance, the interview strategy requires precise coordination, for example to minimise the risk of employment law cut-off periods or deadlines for dismissal expiring. During the interview itself, clear legal guidelines must be in place for situations in which employees refuse to give a statement or insist on being accompanied by legal counsel. In addition, the subsequent documentation requires careful legal assessment: the co-determination rights of the works council must be observed, as must the scope of legal privilege when handling the final investigation report and any rights of access.
These practical scenarios will be addressed and systematically examined in the third webinar.
Key topics of the event
The webinar will examine the following key aspects:
- Interview preparation and methodology: The legal and strategic requirements for conducting employee interviews in a structured manner.
- Handling conflicts during the interview: Dealing in a legally sound manner with a refusal to cooperate or a request to be accompanied by a lawyer.
- Involvement of employee representatives: The scope and limits of the works council’s rights to information and participation in interviews.
- Documentation and record-keeping: The formal requirements for interview records and the existence of rights of access for the persons concerned.
- Conclusion of proceedings and securing results: Protecting the investigation report through legal privilege and initiating far-reaching employment and criminal law measures.
The online event provides a well-founded overview of the legal framework for conducting and concluding an internal investigation and shows where organisational or legal action is required.
Date and participation
Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026, 11:30 – 12:00
Platform: Online (Zoom)
Participation is free of charge.
The event will last approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Further information and registration: https://www.schomerus.de/veranstaltungen/recht-und-risiko-3-internal-investigations-und-arbeitsrecht-teil-2
Speakers
- Dr. Norma Studt, Attorney at Law, Specialist Lawyer for Employment Law
- Dr. Volker Vogt, LL.M., Attorney at Law, Specialist Lawyer for Employment Law
- Kristina Konrad, Attorney at Law, Certified Compliance Officer (Univ.), Certified AI Compliance Officer (Bitkom)
- Dr. Oliver Pragal, Attorney at Law, Specialist Lawyer for Criminal Law, Compliance Officer (C.H. Beck)
Outlook on the upcoming webinars in the series
The remainder of the series will focus on strategic topics such as establishing effective compliance structures, directors’ and officers’ liability and the co-determination rights of the works council. Current challenges arising from AI applications, IT security incidents and breaches of duty in the employment relationship will also be addressed at the interfaces of employment, compliance and criminal law.
If you have any questions about our webinars, please feel free to contact us at any time.
We look forward to welcoming you to this event as part of the “Law & Risk” series.
