Received a workplace complaint? We know it can be really unnerving.
While complaints may not happen every day in most organisations, when they do occur it can be a stressful time not knowing what could happen. This is particularly where there is confusion as to how to best handle it.
As experienced HR Consultants we find that the most common workplace complaints made by employees tend to be about workplace bullying or sexual harassment. Employers often find a complaint follows an attempt to manage poor performance or conduct, which makes dealing with the complaint all the more stressful as often the employee is difficult to deal with.
Employers can attempt to investigate complaints themselves, but it can be fraught with danger. Often larger employers will investigate a complaint internally but they nearly always have a large HR department with an experienced team who has conducted numerous workplace investigations previously. For small to medium sized businesses, internal investigations are more difficult due to resourcing issues and lack of experience. Also, it can be difficult to ensure impartiality in a smaller organisation and sometimes impressions count for a lot when you have a disgrunteld employee. Due to these reasons, many SMEs outsource their investigations to a workplace investigator.
Using an external investigator for workplace investigations is a positive step for several reasons:
- Impartiality: As we mentioned, external investigators are neutral parties who have no personal or professional connections to the company or individuals involved in the investigation. This ensures that the investigation is conducted impartially and without bias.
- Independence: External investigators are not influenced by the organization’s hierarchy or politics. They are not under pressure to produce a particular outcome, which ensures that the investigation is conducted fairly and independently.
- Expertise: External investigators are professionals who have specific expertise in conducting workplace investigations. They have the necessary knowledge and experience to conduct the investigation efficiently and effectively.
- Legal compliance: External investigators are familiar with the relevant employment laws and regulations governing workplace investigations in Australia. They can ensure that the investigation is conducted in compliance with legal requirements.
- Confidentiality: External investigators are bound by confidentiality agreements and can ensure that the investigation is conducted in a confidential manner. This is important in protecting the privacy of those involved in the investigation.
- Cost-effective: Engaging an external investigator can be more cost-effective than conducting an investigation internally. External investigators can complete the investigation more efficiently and effectively, resulting in fewer disruptions to the organization’s operations.
Overall, using an external investigator for workplace investigations is essential if you want to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly, impartially, and in compliance with legal requirements.
Need a workplace investigation completed?
Industryus HR’s experienced team can investigate if you have received a workplace complaint. We are experienced Gold Coast based HR Consultants, providing investigative services for employee complaints anywhere in Australia. If you are local to the Gold Coast we use our Gold Coast HQ or Teams to conduct the investigation meetings or if you are located elsewhere around Australia we conduct the meetings via Teams or telephone. We have also supported countless regional and rural employers throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria with their HR needs.
Get in touch on 07 5655 4047 or book in a free introductory call here.