Uncovering the Truth: Navigating High-Stakes Workplace Investigations in Vancouver with Pivot HR

workplace investigations vancouver

There’s no two ways around it: workplace investigations are difficult to navigate, even if they seem cut and dry. Workplace investigations take a mental, emotional and sometimes even physical toll on the affected parties. This is especially true when there is a power imbalance between the alleged perpetrator and victim.

Pivot HR often consults on workplace investigations regarding:

  • Bullying, harassment & discrimination claims
  • Sexual harassment
  • Conflict resolution
  • Employee misconduct
  • Policy breaches

Continue reading to learn more about how Pivot HR navigates workplace investigations involving power imbalances.

Pivot HR’s Workplace Investigation Protocol

As seasoned HR professionals, our consultants conduct discreet and confidential workplace investigations every single day. Over the years, we have learned to expect the unexpected in workplace investigations.

We interview the involved individuals and potential witnesses to uncover the facts and reveal the underlying problems. Depending on the circumstances and what is revealed in the interviews, investigations can snowball and grow larger, involving many more people than initially expected.

These snowballing revelations are especially common when the allegations are against an executive or high-level manager. Typically, the higher an individual is, the more witnesses are involved and interviewed.

Navigating Investigations with Power Imbalances

Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of workplace investigations, hiring a third-party human resources agency like Pivot HR is best to ensure an unbiased approach. At Pivot HR, we firmly believe that all investigations should be handled with the same level of care. We do our due diligence regardless of who is involved, whether they’re an executive or a frontline employee.

We also recognize there is more at stake when allegations are directed towards a C-level individual; the repercussions are more severe. False allegations can have a detrimental impact on one’s career, reputation and life— for either party!

Pivot HR’s number one goal in all investigations is to uncover the truth and find a path forward. However, we employ a more nuanced approach to conducting investigations involving parties of high stature.

Gathering Evidence and Presenting the Truth

Workplace investigations can take place over a series of months, depending on the severity of the allegation, the number of witnesses and the individuals involved. While conducting these interviews, we seek to gather as much factual evidence as possible to develop an educated, well-proven finding.

After all interviews have been conducted, we deep dive into the organization’s handbook to review its policies, procedures, and how the company defines harassment in the workplace. We will cross-reference the internal information with the gathered evidence and develop a presentation for the board of directors.

Pivot HR’s consultants can only provide recommendations on how to proceed; the ultimate outcome is determined by the board of directors or company leadership.

Is Your Vancouver Business in Need of a Workplace Investigation?

Pivot HR Services is a Vancouver-based HR agency offering exceptional professional Human Resources consulting services to businesses of all sizes across Canada. We are the top choice for workplace investigations because of our unbiased approach, years of experience, and focused dedication.

Contact Pivot HR today to schedule a free consultation for workplace investigations.

What Our Clients say about us

“Robin and Mia were both exceptionally professional and responsive and understood our needs. Their work was of great quality. We are a small non-profit organization and we found them very easy and wonderful to work with. Great value and highly recommend.”

~ Joy Masuhara , Co-Chair Women Transforming Cities International Society

“Cindy is a remarkable professional coach, who goes well beyond expectations in supporting her clients’ development. She knows how to ask the right questions and uncover the real and deep issues that contribute to the limitations we put on ourselves. This type of personal exploration is tough work to do alone and remain committed to necessary change. Cindy’s approach and support made this process one of the most impactful experiences of my life, professionally and personally.”

~ Monique Cotton, Firm Administrator, JFK Law Corporation

“As a medium size business with over 100 employees working in very different areas of our operation, Pivot was able to quickly understand our HR needs and offer practical solutions. Robin and the Pivot team worked closely with our Leadership group to implement effective turnkey solutions on time and on budget. We will continue to use Pivot for our ongoing HR needs and would highly recommend their services.”

~ Adam Zubek, General Manager, Point Grey Golf & Country Club

Pivot HR Services provides personalized solutions for our organization’s human resources needs. By engaging their services, we have been able to successfully outsource our HR function, as the Pivot team has demonstrated their ability to understand the HR priorities of our workplace culture and industry.

~ Areef Abraham, Chief Executive Officer Community Power

“Robin developed our employee policy manual with the goal of engaging and retaining our current staff as well as attracting new ones in this highly competitive marketplace. Her in depth knowledge of current legislation and HR policies proved to be of significant benefit. I would highly recommend Robin and the team at Pivot HR Services.”

~ Christopher Soles, President, Nextgen Technologies Ltd.

“Robin has been and continues to be an outstanding resource for our organization to navigate HR issues as we grow. She always approaches problems with professionalism and a keen eye for our best interest. I’d certainly recommend Robin to anyone looking to elevate their HR processes.”

~ Karim Abraham, CEO, Kambo Energy Solutions

“Our firm turned to Robin for advice and guidance at a time when we faced a period of serious difficulty in managing our human resources. She assisted us through the process of putting our relationship with our staff on a stronger, more stable footing and helped us implement a complete overhaul of our human resources policies. We could not be more pleased with the work she has done and continues to do with us.”

~ Robert Janes, QC, Managing Principal JFK Law Corporation

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