Workplace Investigations Archives

0 To Investigate or Mediate?

To investigate or mediate?Sometimes managing staff can seem like a test of one’s skill to be able to delicately walk on eggshells, particularly when one staff member starts making veiled complaints about another.No manager should dismiss or ignore such comments, avoid the conversation, or offer comments of consolation or agreement (either implicitly or explicitly).If a […]

0 Managing Narcissistic Behaviour in the Workplace

Managing Narcissistic Behaviour in the WorkplaceStaff demonstrating narcissistic behaviours can undermine a company’s culture and character. Our Advanced Conflict Resolution training sessions can be tailored to include discussions on narcissistic behaviour. Discussions about behaviours in a workplace that may be influenced by one or more personality trait disorders can only be general in nature. While the […]

0 FWC Findings And The Importance Of The Investigation

Minimising the risk of an unfair dismissal claim arising out of termination for serious misconduct. If a poorly conducted investigation leads to dismissal, the business could find itself in front of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) with an unfair dismissal claim to argue. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) will uphold an unfair dismissal claim (that meets jurisdictional […]

0 If a complainant has a workplace investigation held against them what support can they call upon?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question… A complainant can be supported during a workplace investigation with a support person. In fact, anyone who is involved in a formal investigation, i.e. a complainant, […]

0 What should a manager do if a workplace complaint is submitted in confidence?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question…What is an example of a formal workplace investigation being investigated? Managers can be held vicariously liable if they are aware that potentially unlawful behaviour (like bullying, […]

0 How does management know the difference between needing a mediation as opposed to a workplace investigation?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question… The warning signs to know whether to conduct a mediation or a formal investigation would be the number of allegations that have been included in the complaint […]

0 How to Manage Anonymous Workplace Complaints

We’ve put some focus in recent months on workplace investigations through our series of videos outlining frequently asked questions on the subject. Today we’re covering a question that wasn’t covered in the series but which has arisen a few times and which we have had some success in addressing – How to manage anonymous workplace […]

0 Does a detailed investigation have to be conducted for every formal complaint submitted to HR or management?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question… Some situations might require a formal investigation, where complainants, respondents and witnesses are interviewed separately and a formal report is prepared (with findings and recommendations), while […]

0 Does the complainant or respondent have to participate in a workplace investigation?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question… Though you might think it would be in the interests of a complainant to support their complaint or the interests of a respondent to defend a […]

0 Should a Respondent to a Workplace Complaint Receive a Copy of the Complaint?

Continuing our series of short videos on the subject of workplace investigations. It’s a subject that’s often misunderstood and even mishandled by leaders, managers and HR personnel. Today’s question…If a staff member submits a formal complaint, should that also be supplied to the respondent to that complaint? When a complaint is lodged, sometimes it’s done […]

Workplace Investigations