This article outlines and discusses issues and practices for effective field research in workplaces. Workplaces imperatives are usually associated with the production of goods or provision of services. Consequently, research activity usually needs to fit in and around them. So, there are considerations associated with researching in workplaces that can lead to effective investigative practices. These include engaging with workplaces, securing permission to conduct research and access workplace sites ; researchers being flexible and responsive to the imperatives of workplaces, informants’ availability and time consciousness. Also, there are considerations for securing engagement to activities during work-related activities, being able to access and utilise authentic work experiences and sustaining effective relationships with workplaces. The author proposes a set of suggestions and practices identified through conducting research in workplaces of different kinds.