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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12. Can the identity of the complainant, witnesses or sources of information for the investigation be kept confidential?

12. Can the identity of the complainant, witnesses or sources of information for the investigation be kept confidential?

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Japan

  • at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

For whistleblowing investigations, whistleblower protection is required (see question 9).

Witnesses and other sources of information are not protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act.

In addition, as a response to a report of harassment, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines require that necessary measures be taken to protect the privacy of the reporter, the offender, and others, and that these measures be announced to the company.

Last updated on 15/09/2022

20. What if the employee under investigation goes off sick during the investigation?

20. What if the employee under investigation goes off sick during the investigation?

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Japan

  • at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

The company will seek a physician's diagnosis and opinion and determine whether to proceed with the investigation. If an employee’s mental health suffers because of the investigation, the company may be charged with a violation of its duty of care.

Last updated on 15/09/2022