Lauren Gatenby’s Post

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇

We are seeing a rise 📈 in the need for investigations 🔍in the workplace. I think there has been a bit of sun ☀️ and everyone goes a little wild 🤪 How are things in your company, is it hotting 🔥 up ⬆️ ? #workplace #investigation #smesupport #hrconsultancy

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ggdq-_t3

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dJ73vfSA

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇 We run independent investigations for client regularly so if you would like us to take this off your hands then please get in touch at www.dittonhr.co.uk or email at info@dittonhr.co.uk

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gAK35EGc

Workplace investigations play a vital role in resolving disputes at work. 🤝 When a potential disciplinary or grievance issue is brewing, a quiet word or informal action just won’t do. Instead, you’ll need to investigate the matter - promptly and fairly - and do all you reasonably can to find out what’s happened. 🕵️ Done well, investigations help protect your organisation by uncovering the facts and identifying any potential misconduct. They support informed and objective decisions and help keep things less stressful for all involved. On the flip side, if handled badly, workplace investigations can damage your reputation and could land you in legal hot water. 🥵 For that reason, it’s crucial to get it right. ✅ We’re well aware that each workplace investigation varies in complexity, circumstances and facts. However, there are some general principles to follow which can lend a helping hand. Watch our latest video, where we run through the steps to ensure your workplace investigation runs smoothly, minimises stress for all involved and avoids the risk of legal action. 👩⚖️ Watch it here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dQZP4YJ8

A common misconception is that serious misconduct automatically justifies summary dismissal - this recent decision reminds us that’s not always the case! The recent decision in Haley v Laing O'Rourke Australia Management Services Pty Ltd (No 8) [2024] FedCFamC2G 779 serves as a cautionary tale to employers. In this decision, the court awarded $1.5 million to the applicant for adverse action and repudiation of contract. This included compensation for loss of income (including future loss of income), incidental costs (including legal fees and relocation costs), and for hurt, distress and humiliation. This damages award was substantial, nothing the employee’s salary was $400K at the time of dismissal. The court found that the respondent took adverse action against the applicant because the applicant exercised a workplace right. About a month before the alleged serious misconduct, the applicant had made a complaint to the respondent, stating that he felt 'overwhelmed and overworked' and that his workload was impacting his personal life. The court also found that the employee, who had been employed with the respondent for 17 years, was wrongfully dismissed following a flawed investigation process. The key lessons learned from this decision include:  ⭐ Serious misconduct does not automatically justify summary dismissal. ⭐ A poorly handled workplace investigation will expose employers to risk (commercial and reputational). ⭐ It is prudent that workplace investigations are conducted by suitably qualified and experienced investigators. ⭐ All of the circumstances should be carefully considered before taking action against an enmployee (even if the serious conduct is substantiated). Norfolk Workplace Consulting offers investigation services by experienced and licensed investigators. Our investigators offer independent, thorough workplace investigations, ensuring that your sensitive workplace matters are handled with professionalism and integrity. Need support? Contact us today for expert advice. 

🔎 Are you up to date with the requirements for conducting workplace investigations? 🔍 A recent ruling by the FWC addresses the crucial question of whether employers are required to provide investigation reports to employees accused of misconduct. This decision serves as an important reminder of the fine line organisations must navigate between maintaining confidentiality and ensuring procedural fairness during workplace investigations, especially when dismissal is a possible outcome.     Case:  An employee at (the organisation) faced allegations of several breaches of company policy, prompting an external investigator to conduct a misconduct investigation. Based on the findings in the investigation report, the organisation decided to terminate the employee’s contract. The employee argued that his right to procedural fairness had been violated because he was not given the full investigation report before dismissal. Without access to the entire report, he claimed he could not fully understand the allegations and evidence, thus limiting his ability to defend himself. The FWC ruled in the organisation's favour, determining that procedural fairness does not always mandate giving the employee the full investigation report. However, the Commission emphasised that employers are still required to provide sufficient details to enable the employee to respond effectively to the allegations.    So, are you aware of what constitutes ‘sufficient details’ in this context? Do you have the documentation required to complete a thorough workplace investigation? Do you understand how to manage the disclosure process? 📣 For guidance or support, please reach out to Naomi Thomas (CAHRI) naomi@fibrehr.com.au or the friendly team at fibreHR.