I have a technical question to bounce off my fellow SH investigators.

When conducting a SH investigation, what is a reasonable number of chances to give for a non-employee witness to meet with the investigators?

For example, when trying to schedule non-employees, should I attempt 1, 2, 5, 10 times to call the person? How about if I have a no-show for an appointment to the investigation? I can't compel a non-employee to meet with me.

Should I merely document the inability to contact the witnesses and move on? I am interested in a speedy conclusion to any investigation, but also want to have an opportunity to speak to any person involved.

What is your experiences in this? Are you aware of any guidance for this on the web (Case Law, EEOC, etc)?

thanks in advance.

Ed, if I haven't answered before this it's because I have no absolutes to give you. I think you need to take specific circumstances into consideration. I don't think there's one right answer to your question; I think there are far too many variables to carve an answer in stone.