Witnesses can confirm events, decisions, instructions and patterns that documents do not fully show. Their value comes from direct knowledge and independence, not from the number of people who say they support you.
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What makes a witness relevant
A relevant witness directly saw or heard a material event, received a message at the time, made a decision, kept a record or can explain a process. General views that you are a good employee may have limited value unless character or normal practice is genuinely in issue.
How witness evidence may be gathered
The investigator may ask for a written statement or hold an interview and produce notes for the witness to check. The department decides how to investigate, but you can identify witnesses, explain the fact each can address and challenge an unreasonable failure to gather central evidence.
Unlock the witness strategy below, including how to map witnesses, approach them without coaching, handle reluctance or conflicting accounts and challenge missing or unreliable statements.
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