New federal legislation passed this month means employers will need to pick up their game when managing complaints of workplace bullying. Prevention is the best place to start. However, putting in place suitably qualified staff capable of conducting robust investigations and managing difficult cases is an essential strategy for any employer. Previously, the investigation of […]
Joanne was keen to take up a new position in an office she had previously worked in. She looked forward to working with former colleagues. But far from being greeted with the bonhomie and friendship she had been familiar with, she was met with the cold shoulder. Excluded from morning teas and team lunches, no […]
The respondent interview can be particularly challenging in an investigation. What may at first seem like a simple matter, often evolves into a more complex case after only the first interview. How do investigators handle some of the key issues around respondent interviews? Here are my responses to some commonly asked questions. Can you dismiss […]
“Alison and I are thrilled to be a Bronze winner in the Business/Career/Sales category of the IPPY Independent Publisher Awards 2013, getting the recognition for the effort that has gone into the book is very satisfying”. Our book was selected from over 5000 international entries and the award ceremony will be held in New […]
Court cases can provide valuable insights into the way people behave at work – and lessons for everyone on how to prevent workplace disputes degenerating into bullying and discrimination. More specifically, directors of organisations should be aware of the risks of vicarious liability; when people they employ to manage others break the law. A recent […]
When an employee is accused of doing something wrong (we call them a respondent in a workplace investigation), they may lose their job or worse, their reputation. Understandably, that can put people on the defensive. They may engage in a number of strategies to minimise the consequences – from refusing to cooperate, to outright denial […]
I often get asked about the role of a support person in an investigative interview, so here are my responses to three of the most common questions. Do we have to have a support person present? There is no legal requirement for a support person to be present at a workplace investigative interview. The law […]
By WISE Legal Counsel Alison Page Investigators can learn a valuable lesson from an unfair dismissal decision by the full bench of the Fair Work Commission, handed down in March 2013. Although the case was concerned with the application of regulations in the child care industry, it is a timely reminder not to make assumptions, […]
A woman suffered a vicious rape in London. There was little information to work with after the initial investigation. The victim had been drinking heavily before the attack and she believed there was little chance of the rapist being caught, let alone convicted. She seemed unable and unwilling to provide important details of what had […]
by WISE mediator Anna Faoagali Mediation – A Case Study Steve worked in a young, fast-growing technology business as a team leader. When the post of manager in his department became vacant, the CEO asked him to fill in while they head-hunted for the right person. Steve had worked at the company almost since it […]