How and when to request a workplace investigation
Reach out to us when sensitive workplace issues arise, such as harassment complaints, policy violations, conflicts, or unethical behaviour that require impartial investigation.
Timely action is crucial to maintaining trust, compliance, and a positive work culture.
Contacting us is simple: provide a brief overview of the situation, and our experienced team will guide you through the next steps with confidentiality and professionalism, including matching you with an investigator who specialises in your area.
Whether you’re looking for a proactive resolution or navigating a complex incident, we’re here to deliver fair, thorough, and unbiased investigations tailored to your needs.
How we do it
All of our consultants are DBS checked as a minimum, and conduct their casework in accordance with our unique FAIR Model™ for investigations.
This model stands us apart, by advocating a compassionate, empathetic and non-confrontational approach for interviewing and investigating. We do of course maintain a rigorous, challenging and highly effective process.
Using the power of positive psychology and cognitive interviewing techniques, we enable the parties to feel safer and more secure, which has significant benefits for them, the interviewer, and the process as a whole:
- The investigation is less damaging and corrosive for the parties and organisation.
- It creates less stress, fear and anxiety, so that relationships between colleagues and managers are better protected.
- Parties are more forthcoming with information that is useful to the investigation and less likely to become defensive, hostile or withdraw.
- We can generally interview fewer people to identify the truth, aiding working relationships and the efficiency of the process.
Our unique TRIAGE approach
Based on our experience in conducting investigations with organisations from all industries, we have developed a unique ‘TRIAGE’ system to ensure that every case we deliver is conducted in an independent, objective, robust and comprehensive manner. The ‘TRIAGE’ system outlines the 6 key stages of our investigative process.
The most important aspect of an investigation is to understand what is to be investigated. This is why the terms of reference for the investigation are paramount.
- Our investigator will review the complaint clearly and identify what is being alleged.
- We will then agree with your commissioning manager on what is to be investigated and within the scope of your remit.
- For such complex cases, our investigator will identify common themes, to provide succinct areas for investigation.
The assigned investigator will next review all the necessary documentation. This includes the initial complaint or allegation, all relevant organisational policies and/or procedures, and additional evidence.
- We will make a list of all the individuals who are to be interviewed as part of the investigation process.
- Our investigator will then outline realistic, achievable timescales in light of the complexity of the case.
- Before commencing interviews, we will ensure that we have available, and have read, any and all policy documentation which is relevant to the case.
A good proportion of evidence that the investigator will analyse will be drawn from witness interviews, so excellent interviewing techniques are essential. Our person-centred approach focuses on creating an open and safe environment to gather evidence from the complainant(s), respondent(s) and any identified witnesses.
- We interview the complainant(s) first, followed by any witnesses they put forward, followed by the respondent(s), then witnesses they put forward, and subsequently any final parties.
- A typical interview will begin with open questions to allow each party to give an open account of what has happened, before using closed questions to address key details.
All evidence is carefully assessed to determine if any further information is needed. Analysing the documentary evidence at hand prior to undertaking any further interviews enables the investigator to establish any potential flaws in the early stages of the investigation.
- We will draft a list of additional evidence that you require based on the initial information gathered. This may include digital evidence such as emails and CCTV footage.
- At this stage, we may also explore alternative solutions. Although rare for more complex issues, it may be evident that, for example, mediation may be a more suitable resolution approach.
Gathering evidence in a timely manner is important, particularly if such evidence is time-critical. Some organisations only store CCTV images and footage or records of conversation exchanges, for example, for a set time period and so it is critical that we identify and gather evidence swiftly.
- Our interviews are used to identify any additional evidence that may be important to the process.
- We will then request additional pieces of evidence as soon as possible, to prevent unnecessary delays.
The investigator will collate all the information and evaluate their findings based upon the “Balance of Probabilities”. The commentary of our rational and the conclusion drawn will be described clearly within an investigation report.
- The ‘Executive Summary’ at the beginning of the report outlines the key findings in a clear and concise manner.
- Another expert investigator will proofread the Investigation Report prior to its final submission.
- Our team will be on hand to answer any questions you have in relation to the report after it has been submitted.
Quality assured processes
Every case that we deliver is conducted in line with the ACAS ‘Conducting workplace investigations’ guidance and British Standards Institute BS1020002018 code of practice for the provision of investigative services.
In addition to this our investigators also follow a robust set of internal quality standards, which ensures they carry out a thorough and objective investigation each time.
Our team are also on hand to provide expert guidance and support at each step of the case.
These various layers of quality assurance ensure that the process can withstand the highest levels of scrutiny, for minimal risk of failure at any subsequent employment tribunal or appeal.
Our investigations feedback and reviews
The Investigation Company assisted us with a workplace grievance investigation and were fantastic throughout from start to finish. The communication throughout was great, as was the level of detail they provided within their follow up report. I would not hesitate in recommending them or using their services again.
“I am very happy with the service provided by The Investigation Company. Often in Operations we are so busy ensuring that our Service Users are well cared for, it is difficult for us to assign Managers to investigations. TIC do a fantastic job supporting us with investigations and by using TIC, we ensure investigations are impartial and outcomes are fair. The turnaround on investigations is really quick, which again is sometimes a struggle for us at Cygnet Health Care. I would thoroughly recommend TIC to support businesses.”
“The Investigation Company conducted a very complex racism investigation, you were superb, it was money well spent. We would spend the money and use your company again if we were to face the same situation.”
“I would also like to mention that I have had lots of superb feedback about your investigation – most people that were interviewed were very impressed by the investigator’s professionalism and the quick turnaround of their statements. My boss – the interim HR Director – said to me yesterday, “I do not know where you found The Investigation Company but they are good.”
“The Investigation Company provided an excellent and highly professional external investigation service for us. The team was always available when we needed anything, and the investigator was incredibly efficient, thorough and personable. All in all – it was perfect!”
Got a question for us? Get in touch
We’d love to hear from you if you would like some guidance, have any questions or want to hear more about how we can deliver bespoke packages, tailored to your organisation.
