Workplace Investigations

Contributing Editors


Workplace investigations are growing in number, size and complexity. Employers are under greater scrutiny as of the importance of ESG rises. Regulated industries such as finance, healthcare and legal face additional hurdles, but public scrutiny of businesses and how they treat their people across the board has never been higher. Conducting a fair and thorough workplace investigation is therefore critical to the optimal operation, governance and legal exposure of every business.

IEL’s Guide to Workplace Investigations examines key issues that organisations need to consider as they initiate, conduct and conclude investigations in 29 major jurisdictions around the world.  

Learn more about the response taken in specific countries or build your own report to compare approaches taken around the world.

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11. What information must the employee under investigation be given about the allegations against them?

11. What information must the employee under investigation be given about the allegations against them?

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Australia

  • at People + Culture Strategies
  • at People + Culture Strategies
  • at People + Culture Strategies

To ensure procedural fairness, the allegations must be put to the respondent in writing in advance of the investigation interview. The allegations must be specific, but the respondent does not need to be provided with a copy of the original complaint. The respondent should also be informed that if the allegations are substantiated they may result in disciplinary action up to and including the termination of the employee’s employment.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

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Finland

Finland

  • at Roschier
  • at Roschier

The process must be transparent and impartial, and therefore all the information that may influence the conclusions made during the investigation should be shared with the employee.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

17. What other support can employees involved in the investigation be given?

17. What other support can employees involved in the investigation be given?

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Australia

  • at People + Culture Strategies
  • at People + Culture Strategies
  • at People + Culture Strategies

Employers should be conscious that the investigation may have an impact on the complainant, respondent and witnesses. Employers will need to consider how to support their employees. The level of support provided will often depend on the size of the organisation and programmes already in place.

Many employers have an Employee Assistance Programme and employees should be reminded about this programme if further support or assistance is required. An employer’s HR team may also be able to assist if an employee has concerns about the progress of an investigation.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

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Finland

Finland

  • at Roschier
  • at Roschier

They can request assistance, for example, from an occupational health and safety representative, a shop steward or the occupational healthcare provider.

Last updated on 15/09/2022