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Workplace investigations can cause major problems for employers if they’re not conducted properly or by the right person.
Employers will usually need to conduct an investigation before starting on a formal process with an employee, in order to collect evidence. An employer might also want to commission an investigation into wider workplace or cultural issues in order to safeguard their reputation or improve their working practices. The most common types of workplace investigations involve:
The investigation is often the first step in a wider process which may end in a legal dispute, and getting it right is essential to set the foundations for that process and avoid risk down the line. However, just as important these days is the reputational factor. An employer can no longer guarantee that an investigation report will be kept confidential – leaks, whistleblowing disclosures and subject access requests can all lead to its disclosure or publication. A shoddy or inadequate investigation report can lead to the employer suffering reputational damage with its staff, clients or regulator, or even being singled out in the media.
Some of the most common pitfalls employers face when attempting to conduct an internal investigation are:
At Darwin Gray, our Employment and HR team are experienced investigators and regularly conduct workplace investigations on behalf of businesses and organisations. We can act as independent investigators when it’s not appropriate for the investigation to be conducted internally. As legal experts, we also give you the comfort of knowing that your investigation will be watertight and we’ll highlight any legal issues which might arise later. We are experienced in dealing with employees of all seniorities and will handle your investigation sensitively but thoroughly.
If you need any advice or help with a workplace investigation, please contact a member of our employment law team in confidence here or on 02920 829 100 for a free initial call to see how they can help.
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.