Workplace investigations examine allegations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, policy violations, or other concerning behavior. Proper investigation is essential for fair resolution and legal defensibility of any resulting actions.
Investigation Process
Standard steps include receiving and assessing the complaint, planning the investigation, interviewing the complainant, accused, and witnesses, gathering and reviewing evidence, analyzing findings, reaching conclusions, and documenting the entire process.
Investigator Selection
Investigators should be neutral and have no stake in the outcome. For serious matters, external investigators may be appropriate. Internal HR can handle routine matters. Whoever investigates needs appropriate training and understanding of relevant policies and laws.
Documentation
Thorough documentation is essential. Records should include all interviews (with detailed notes or recordings where permitted), evidence collected, analysis performed, and reasoning for conclusions. This documentation defends decisions if later challenged.