Workplace Investigations
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
Independent, External Workplace Investigators
No workplace is immune to allegations of workplace bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, misconduct or corrupt conduct.
Less complicated workplace investigations can generally be handled in-house by existing HR or management staff.
However, where there are multiple or complex allegations, more serious or sensitive allegations, allegations that involve one or more senior managers or executives in an organisation, or where allegations have the potential for follow-on litigation, then an independent external workplace investigator is often the best solution.
CLEAR. UNBIASED. TIMELY.
Why Hire an External, Independent Workplace Investigator?
- Impartiality and procedural fairness during workplace investigations.
- Greater confidence in the process and outcomes by all parties.
- A high level of confidentiality during the investigation.
- The core facts of the allegation are clearly identified and extraneous matters that merely muddy the waters are appropriately dealt with.
- The complaint is handled in a timely and thorough manner.
- All relevant witnesses are expertly interviewed, and their evidence transcribed verbatim.
- The workload and emotional impacts on managers and staff are minimised.
- Compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
- All relevant documentary and other evidence is sourced, tested and verified and accurately reflected in the final report.
- A clear separation between investigation and disciplinary steps in the process.
- The risk of your decision being overturned on appeal to Fair Work or other statutory body is minimised.
- You have clear, unbiased and defensible information upon which to make your decisions.
OUR EXPERTISE
Complex and Sensitive Workplace Investigations
For over 20 years, we have provided transparent, impartial and effective workplace investigations for government organisations, statutory bodies, private sector businesses, not for profits and law firms.
While we are based in Brisbane, we provide workplace investigation services across Australia.
We have the skills, expertise and experience to ensure that your investigation is conducted in an impartial, timely, cost-effective and defensible manner.
Our investigation reports are comprehensive, reliable and logical, enabling you to confidently make a decision.
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE
Wide-ranging and Extensive Expertise
Our workplace investigation experience covers a wide range of allegations, including:
- Misconduct
- Careless, incompetent and inefficient performance of duties
- Corrupt conduct
- Professional misconduct and clinical negligence
- Bullying and victimisation
- Workplace and Sexual harassment
- Discrimination
- Code of conduct breaches
- Provision of false and misleading information/making of false complaints
- Verbal and physical abuse
- Maladministration
- Grievances
- Contravening lawful directions
- Misuse and misappropriation of public resources
- Misuse and misappropriation of controlled drugs
- Use of illegal drugs in the workplace
- Breaches of confidentiality and unauthorised access of confidential information
- Fraud and theft
- Deficient and corrupt procurement processes
- Deficient and corrupt recruitment processes
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE
Wide-ranging and Extensive Expertise
Our workplace investigation experience covers a wide range of allegations, including:
- Misconduct
- Corrupt conduct
- Professional misconduct and clinical negligence
- Bullying and victimisation
- Workplace and Sexual harassment
- Discrimination
- Code of conduct breaches
- Grievances
- Fraud and theft
- Verbal and physical abuse
- Maladministration
- Careless, incompetent and inefficient performance of duties
- Contravening lawful directions
- Misuse and misappropriation of public resources
- Misuse and misappropriation of controlled drugs
- Use of illegal drugs in the workplace
- Breaches of confidentiality and unauthorised access of confidential information
- Provision of false and misleading information/making of false complaints
- Deficient and corrupt procurement processes
- Deficient and corrupt recruitment processes
OUR APPROACH
Sophisticated, Flexible and Efficient
We believe that a workplace investigator’s role is simple – to get to the truth of the matter.
It is not to prosecute the complaint, and it is not to defend the respondent. Nor is it to be a mere mouthpiece of the employer or produce a result that might best suit the employer’s objectives.
An effective workplace investigation discovers the facts and clears the waters to allow the decision maker a clear basis on which to make a finding.
We believe that cookie-cutter or highly prescriptive approaches to conducting workplace investigations create a higher risk to an organisation and reduce the likelihood of problem resolution.
We believe the case management and conduct of workplace investigations has to be agile and adaptable to the specific circumstances, facts and requirements of the particular case. And the more complex the matter is, the truer this is.
Our workplace investigations team are skilled, knowledgeable and flexible. We cut through the noise to deliver clear, defensible findings of fact.
Our Workplace Investigation Process
Our workplace investigations follow similar broad steps.
Terms of Reference
An effective workplace investigation starts with clear and comprehensive instructions obtained from each client (usually through Terms of Reference) to ensure that the client’s requirements are clearly understood.
Investigation Planning
We plan the investigation process and the methodology that we will be applying.
Regular contact with the client’s case manager is required to ensure that the methodology being engaged is understood and approved by the client, and that the client is kept aware of the progress of the investigation and any issues that have arisen.
Evidence Gathering
Using a combination of sophisticated document discovery and skilful interview processes, evidence is gathered to create a clear picture of the true facts of the case.
It is during this phase that less skilled investigators can falter. Our expertise gained through extensive investigations means that we know precisely what types of documentary evidence may exist and how to access that information.
We also rigorously test all statements and evidence through skilled questioning and probing for specific information and examining all answers to questions for inconsistency.
Natural justice (or procedural fairness) requires that the respondent has the allegations and, at least, the substance of evidence which is substantial, probative and adverse to their interests put to them and be provided with a reasonable opportunity to respond to that information.
This is done systematically and logically to avoid confusing the respondent, particularly in cases where there are a large number of allegations.
Report Preparation and Presentation
After our investigation process, we prepare a thorough and detailed analysis and report for the client. This report documents the process adopted in the investigation, contains all evidence that has been obtained in a clearly cross-referenced manner, as well as the findings as to the facts of the matter.
Our reports provide detailed explanations of the principles that apply and underpin that particular investigation, which gives clarity to the decision maker, including when there is often only one person’s word against another.
Client feedback is that our investigation reports are comprehensive and logical, enabling decision-makers to easily determine matters with confidence.
Need help with a Workplace Investigation?
Book a consultation to determine if an external independent workplace investigation is the best course of action for your case.
