Most organizations, for good reason, dread the idea of undergoing a workplace investigation. Ensuring the process is fair, sound and supportive can go a long way to reducing anxiety – and getting results.
When difficulties arise or a complaint is filed, the obligation of the employer is to restore the workplace as a healthy entity. They must ensure that the unacceptable situation, behaviours or working conditions stop and take actions or put measures in place to ensure that they will not recur.
A workplace investigation is really a fact-finding mission. Yes, it can become large and complex, and it’s always a formal process, but there’s a whole lot of runway before we get to that point. It could just be a couple of conversations. It’s important that investigation participants understand that we are not going on a witch-hunt; we’re looking into some very specific allegations, with reparation and restoration as the preferred outcome.
A signature of AccessHR’s workplace investigations is its restorative approach, which aims for the least damage to be incurred while achieving the required outcome, exploring early on what those involved in the investigation are prepared to commit to to resolve the situation in a productive and healthy way.
Further supporting this restorative approach, AccessHR recognizes that investigations can be extremely damaging, to reputation and relationships, and the importance of providing mental health support to both respondent and complainant as part if the investigation, a service included in AccessHR’s investigative process.
Increased Frequency
Since 2018, when Occupational Health and Safety legislation increased the obligation to investigate, numbers of investigation requests have grown. Additionally, there has been a societal shift in which people are more aware of their rights in the workplace. Plus, more discussion around bullying, sexual harassment and power relationships has helped educate everyone about what shouldn’t be tolerated in the workplace.
To learn how AccessHR can help with your workplace investigation, contact us directly.
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