Workplace Investigations
SWIFT, INDEPENDENT AND EXPERT
Running a business is no easy feat, and when a workplace issue arises, the last thing you want is the added stress of a formal investigation. These situations can be time-consuming, emotionally charged, and disruptive. But ignoring serious issues like bullying, harassment, discrimination, fraud, or safety breaches is never the answer—it only leads to bigger problems down the line.
The good news? With a clear, methodical approach and the right support, you can handle workplace investigations with confidence, ensuring fairness while keeping your team focused on what matters most.
Do I Need a Workplace Investigation?
Workplace investigations are required when concerns have been raised about the performance or conduct of an employee. Some concerns that would require an investigation could include decreased performance, or accusations of bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
Another reason a workplace investigation would be required could include concerns over apparent Occupational Health and Safety breaches. If your business is dealing with any of these issues then a workplace investigation should be conducted. This ensures the matter is resolved in a fair, impartial way.
When is a Workplace Investigation Necessary?
Workplace investigations become essential when you’re dealing with situations that require a fair, thorough, and transparent resolution. Here are some examples:
Serious Misconduct or Illegal Activity
If there’s suspicion of fraud, theft, or criminal behaviour, gathering facts promptly and thoroughly is crucial to protect your business and reputation.
Bullying, Harassment, or Discrimination
These issues can severely impact employee morale and well-being. Addressing them quickly and fairly is vital for a healthy workplace culture.
Occupational Health and Safety Breaches
If safety protocols aren’t being followed, it’s important to understand why and take corrective action before someone gets hurt.
In any of these situations, a formal investigation isn’t just about reacting to problems—it’s about taking deliberate, effective action to safeguard your employees, customers, and organisation.
Why Conduct a Workplace Investigation?
Workplace investigations are vital for ensuring legal compliance, maintaining fairness, and protecting your business from costly disputes. Addressing issues like misconduct or underperformance with a clear and impartial process builds trust and credibility within your team. Employees feel reassured knowing their concerns are taken seriously, which improves morale and strengthens workplace culture.
Investigations also help identify underlying causes, such as unclear policies or gaps in training. This allows you to address the root of the problem and prevent similar issues from arising. A well-conducted investigation is not just about resolving current challenges but also about creating a stronger and more effective workplace in the long term.
How to Conduct a Workplace Investigation
- Start by defining the investigation’s scope, identifying key parties, and setting timelines. A clear roadmap reduces confusion and helps everyone understand what to expect.
- Assemble Your Investigation Team:
- Internal Investigations: For simpler, internal disputes, HR or a neutral manager may lead the process.
- External Investigations: In complex, high-stakes, or sensitive cases, outsourcing to independent experts ensures objectivity and professionalism.
- Speak with everyone who might have useful information, one-on-one and privately. Gather documents, emails, CCTV footage-whatever is needed. Keep the focus on facts, not assumptions.
- Once you’ve gathered all the data, produce a clear, unbiased report outlining your conclusions and recommended steps. If misconduct is confirmed, take prompt, appropriate action—this might mean training, policy adjustments, warnings, or even termination. Always consider how to prevent similar issues in the future.
Why Choose Workplace Wizards?
Workplace Wizards provides the expertise, independence, and support you need to manage workplace investigations effectively. Our team understands the complexity and sensitivity of these situations, and we work to ensure the process is clear, efficient, and fully compliant with the law.
Here’s how we can help:
Step-by-Step Guidance
From planning and conducting interviews to preparing comprehensive, defensible reports, we guide you through every stage of the investigation.
Fair and Transparent Processes
We ensure procedural fairness at every step, helping you build trust and credibility within your organisation.
Tailored Recommendations
Our solutions address your business’s specific needs, from strengthening policies to improving training and oversight.
Nationwide Support
Whether you’re in Melbourne, Sydney, or elsewhere in Australia, our team is ready to assist.
Beyond resolving the immediate issue, we focus on uncovering root causes and helping you prevent future problems. This might include:
- Strengthening workplace policies to align with best practices.
- Enhancing employee training to address gaps.
- Implementing oversight measures to ensure lasting improvements.
With Workplace Wizards, you’ll gain a partner who makes the investigation process manageable and effective, freeing you to focus on running and growing your business. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
Appointing an Investigation Team
Depending on the severity of the issue, workplace investigations can be conducted either internally or externally. As a general rule, internal investigations will be conducted when the issue primarily concerns inter-office disputes. External investigations usually occur in more serious situations, such as when customers are directly impacted by staff conduct.
An internal workplace investigation should be conducted by either the Human Resources department, or members of management. To ensure impartiality, they should not have a close relationship with the employee under investigation.
An external investigation is outsourced to specialist consultants who are trained in the complexities of conducting comprehensive workplace investigations. They can help an organisation ensure the investigation is conducted in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009.
Interviewing Parties and Developing a Report
The next step involves the investigation team interviewing pertinent parties, and collecting statements. A team should conduct in-depth interviews with all relevant parties, at separate times, and collect statements and evidence from them.
They can then work at determining whether any misconduct occurred and why. They will then need to develop procedures to minimise the chances of recurrence.
Following this, an investigation report will then be developed, which outlines the result of the investigation. It will state whether the alleged behaviour was determined to have occurred or not. If it’s determined to have occurred, the report will state what actions were taken, and what actions employees must take.
Contact us
Get in contact with a workplace lawyer or advisor to access initial advice about your workplace requirements.
Get in Touch for Workplace Investigations
Workplace investigations don’t have to drain your energy or disrupt your business. With Workplace Wizards, you’ll get the expertise and support needed to handle investigations swiftly and fairly—allowing you to focus on what you do best: running and growing your business. Contact us today to streamline your investigation process and create a healthier, more compliant workplace.
To find out more about how we can help your business, please call us today on (03) 9087 6949 or email at support@workplacewizards.com.au. We would be happy to discuss the workplace investigations process with you, and help your business realise its goals.
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