When conducting a workplace investigation, it is essential that there is consideration given to maintaining an appropriate balance between professionalism, impartiality and empathy. By ensuring that this balance is maintained, employers are best able to protect the interests of staff, and safeguard against allegations of inappropriate conduct during the investigatory stage. the need for professionalism […]
When conducting investigations or otherwise making determinations in the workplace, it is essential to avoid bias, whether conscious or unconscious. It is equally important to avoid a situation where co-workers believe decisions made in the workplace are biased – whether real or perceived. What is unconscious bias? Unconscious bias may take a number of […]
Workplace bullying is somewhat of a scourge in modern society. Broadly categorised by Reach Out Australia as any behaviour which is physically, mentally or socially threatening and takes place in the employment context, it can have an enormous impact on staff effectiveness, employee retention, the number and type of worker’s compensation claims and, of course, […]
Sometimes you just can’t or shouldn’t conduct a misconduct investigation in-house. Where there are conflicts of interest or specialist skills required, organisations may be best suited to engaging the services of a private provider to obtain the information required for the business to make the right decisions. But how do you know if the […]
In the often stormy seas of workplace investigations, the issue of investigator bias lurks in the undercurrents, a trap for the unwary employer. One of the most regular complaints we hear from people who have been the subject of an investigation is that the investigator was biased and the decision was predetermined, and they […]
Drafting Allegations the Right Way Whenever allegations of adverse conduct arise in the workplace, the relevant investigator or manager must think carefully about the way in which these are to be put to the person involved. Preparation is the key here – wherever possible, take sufficient time to organise and crosscheck your information about the […]
Knowing when to hire an external investigator and when to undertake an internal investigation can be tricky. If you have an employee or group of employees who have been accused of misconduct or suspect that bullying or harassment is taking place in your organisation when is it appropriate to look into the matter yourself […]
Whether you contract an external investigator or conduct an investigation yourself, you need to record the process, document the evidence you gathered and articulate the evaluation you applied to make the findings. The Investigation Report needs to provide the decision-maker with all the relevant information to make fast, reliable decisions that won’t lead them […]