Workplace Investigation
When serious workplace concerns arise, organizations need a fair and fact-based process. IWS provides independent Workplace Investigation services involving employee complaints, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, leadership concerns, and other challenging workplace matters. Through careful fact-finding, interviews, documentation review, and objective analysis, we help organizations gain clarity and make informed decisions about appropriate next steps.
What is IWS’s Workplace Investigation?
When a serious workplace concern is raised, IWS helps organizations appropriately explore allegations and concerns involving workplace misconduct, policy compliance, leadership, retaliation, harassment and other complex workplace matters. It is about creating a structured process to gather relevant information, listening to those involved, evaluate evidence and provide leadership with an objective understanding of the concerns.
Why would you need a Workplace Investigation?
A Workplace Investigation may be appropriate when an organization receives a complaint or becomes aware of allegations that require a formal review. This may include concerns involving:
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Retaliation or workplace misconduct
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Bullying, hostile behavior, or inappropriate conduct
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Policy or code-of-conduct violations
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Leadership or supervisory concerns
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Conflicts involving significant workplace allegations
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Employee complaints requiring independent review
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Concerns involving workplace practices or decision-making
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Other allegations where the organization needs a fact-based understanding of what occurred
Not every workplace concern requires an investigation. IWS can also help organizations consider whether an investigation, workplace assessment, HR intervention, coaching, mediation, or another approach may be more appropriate for their circumstances.
How could a Workplace Investigation help your Organization?
An investigation gives an organization an opportunity to address serious workplace concerns thoughtfully rather than relying on assumptions, incomplete information or competing accounts. Workplace Investigations help with:
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Establish a clearer understanding of the facts
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Provide individuals an opportunity to be heard
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Identify relevant documentation and evidence
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Determine whether policies or expectations may have been violated
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Identify areas requiring organizational attention
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Support informed leadership and HR decision-making
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Reduce the risk of unresolved concerns continuing to affect the workplace
The investigation process itself also matters. How an organization responds to a concern can influence trust, employee confidence, workplace relationships and organizational culture.
Why choose IWS?
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Our approach is thorough, impartial, and grounded in careful listening and fact-finding.
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We take care to separate allegations, information, evidence, and conclusions, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and discretion throughout the process.
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For Indigenous and Tribal organizations and Native-serving environments, understanding organizational and cultural context can be particularly important when examining workplace concerns.
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Our role is to help organizations better understand the matter before them and provide a clear, professional foundation from which they can determine appropriate next steps.
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We seek the facts, protect the integrity of the process, and help the organization move forward with greater clarity.