The Quick Guide to Workplace Investigations

workplace investigations vancouver

Conflict is, unfortunately, an unavoidable part of maintaining an office full of different people from varied backgrounds and experiences. While not all conflict is negative (and can in, fact, be quite helpful), knowing how to identify and stop toxic behaviour in its tracks is essential to creating a safe space for your entire team.

If you’ve gone through or are currently experiencing a time of tension or misalignment in the office, workplace investigations are a great resource that can help shed light on areas of improvement, identify points of disconnect, and build a solid path forward for everyone to succeed.

At Pivot HR, we’re proud to partner with businesses and organizations across Vancouver, BC, Toronto and throughout Canada to help you create and maintain a safe workplace that allows everyone to operate at their best. We believe that conflict provides the opportunity for a new foundation to be created, and we’re here to help you, every step of the way.

Below, we’ll discuss some of the ins and outs of workplace investigations, as well as what to expect from the process. Read on to learn more!

What Are Workplace Investigations

Even though ‘workplace investigations’ sound a little daunting, on the most basic level they simply refer to the process of conducting a formal analysis of various components of your workplace including practices, policies, known issues and more. Workplace investigations are also used to handle acute issues like harassment claims, company transitions, and other major events.

Typically speaking, workplace investigations are often conducted by external firms like Pivot HR to ensure objectivity across all aspects and are customized to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the company or organization in question. While each investigation will vary somewhat as a result, in almost every case, you can expect your evaluator(s) to establish the importance of confidentiality, review all relevant documentation, interview witnesses (where applicable), assess the credibility of statements and facts being presented, and more. The investigator(s) job is to behave impartially, come to a definitive decision, and provide the next steps as needed.

It is worth stating workplace investigations are not a “witch hunt”, and often may not even be a sign that something is “wrong”. Savvy owners often utilize workplace investigations when they want to improve overall performance, restructure and realign, and invest in creating a positive culture for all. While investigations are a valuable resource in times of trouble, they are just as important during the “good times” if you want to continue to grow!

When Do I NEED a Workplace Investigation

There are certain scenarios in which participating in a workplace investigation is mandatory in compliance with employment legislation. In instances where a formal complaint of harassment, endangerment, sexual misconduct, and other serious allegations are involved. When such incidences occur, you must comply with all mandates; working with an experienced firm like Pivot makes it easy to do so, and helps minimize the overall disruption to your process while the investigation is ongoing.

Not Sure What to Do Next?

If you need a workplace investigation but aren’t sure how to proceed, Pivot HR is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more!

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