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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16. If there is a works council or trade union, does it have any right to be informed or involved in the investigation?

16. If there is a works council or trade union, does it have any right to be informed or involved in the investigation?

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Finland

Finland

  • at Roschier
  • at Roschier

A works council or a trade union does not have a role in the investigation.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

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Singapore

Singapore

  • at Rajah & Tann Singapore
  • at Rajah & Tann Singapore
  • at Rajah & Tann

An employee who is a member of a works council or trade union has the right to seek assistance from the works council or trade union representative (whichever is applicable) and have the works council or trade union involved in resolving the grievances.

For unionised companies, the grievance procedure and the role of the union representative are usually set out in the collective agreement entered into between the company and the works council or trade union. In some organisations, the employee handbook or grievance policy will also state when the trade union representative will be involved in the investigation process.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

18. What if unrelated matters are revealed as a result of the investigation?

18. What if unrelated matters are revealed as a result of the investigation?

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Finland

Finland

  • at Roschier
  • at Roschier

If they are related to the work or workplace, the employer will handle the emerging matters separately. In internal investigations, the employer is allowed to use any material legally available.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

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Singapore

Singapore

  • at Rajah & Tann Singapore
  • at Rajah & Tann Singapore
  • at Rajah & Tann

If unrelated matters that require further investigation are revealed as a result of the investigation, the employer should take the necessary steps to investigate these matters, where relevant, under the employer’s grievance reporting, investigation and disciplinary processes. This should be done separately and independently from the existing investigation. Please note that section 424 of the Criminal Procedure Code imposes a legal duty on any person who is aware that another has committed certain specified offences to "immediately" report the matter to the police, "in the absence of reasonable excuse" not to do so. Failure to comply with this requirement is punishable with imprisonment for up to six months, and/or a fine.

Last updated on 15/09/2022