A workplace investigation can help employers learn about and manage complaints and important workplace matters. The team at WGC Lawyers has over fifty years of experience helping businesses in Cairns maintain effective operations by conducting investigations in their workplace. Continue reading for a look at what a workplace investigation is and the correct process we follow for them to be effective. Call today.
Employment Lawyers in Cairns: What Are Workplace Investigations?
An investigation in your workplace aims to determine the truth of issues and complaints. Our team will conduct a careful examination of the complaint and reach a conclusion based on objective facts. Determining the severity of a complaint before investigating ensures you take the correct action and reach the appropriate resolution. An investigation is appropriate for serious complaints, such as:
- Sexual harassment
- Fraud
- Violence
- Theft
- Drug and alcohol use at work
- Bigotry
- Racism
The Correct Workplace Investigation Process
We assess each complaint and consider a range of factors before commencing an investigation.
Making the Decision to Investigate
First, we assess all the information about the complaint to decide if a formal investigation is necessary. For many serious complaints, we are legally obligated to perform an investigation. Our team will begin the process quickly to ensure there is no delay. We will determine:
- How serious the matter is
- If the complainant’s actions breach your policies
- Whether we can resolve the issue without an investigation
- The risk to your business and everyone involved
Prepare to Investigate
As an experienced workplace lawyer in Cairns, we plan the investigation meticulously, choosing an impartial, independent party to gather materials, documents and witnesses, who will outline what they will and won’t examine. Our team will become familiar with policies, obligations and procedural fairness requirements and identify the allegations with precision. Conducting the investigation correctly ensures our findings are reliable and don’t lead to legal, cultural and operational issues for your business.
Let All Parties Know About the Investigation
We will ensure the complainant, respondent and every witness are aware of the investigation. Our team of employment lawyers in Cairns outlines what they can expect the investigation will be about and their rights and obligations. This satisfies the complainant that we are covering all of their concerns and offers the respondent every opportunity to respond.
Performing Our Investigation
We gather all relevant evidence, conduct interviews, review information and determine credibility and consistency with an objective focus based on facts. Our team asks impartial questions without making assumptions and operates according to strict procedural fairness, giving everyone involved an opportunity to speak. We allow every individual to review their statements and make any corrections.
Workplace Lawyer in Cairns: Formalising Our Report
We write a report based on our findings, making an assessment of the allegations and if they’re true, false or undetermined. Our report will outline all reasoning based on evidence. We share our report with the relevant parties in your business and inform the complainant and respondent of the outcome.
For expert advice and help running a workplace investigation, WGC Lawyers in Cairns brings over fifty years of experience helping resolve complaints. Contact us online today to speak with our team.