Practical insights on resolving workplace complaints and creating a positive culture at work. Please note that the information in these posts is general in nature, and you should always seek specific advice that takes into account each unique situation.
At its best, mediation can be a very effective and even a transformative process, which assists parties who have been engaged in conflict to resolve the issues that have arisen in their working relationship. With the assistance of a mediator, the participants are empowered to resolve the dispute themselves on their own terms, in a […]
One of the topics that we often discuss at Worklogic is the necessity of ensuring that all workplace investigations are carried out in a procedurally fair manner, and in particular provide natural justice to any person responding to allegations. Looking at the bigger picture, however, it is equally important that before pushing the ‘formal investigation’ […]
Our blog post this week gives you a snapshot of five key, recent cases and the lessons to be learnt from them for employers. 1. Misuse of the Complaints Handling Process – Adamopoulos v Thompson Healthcare [2017] FWC 2505 In this case, three nurses colluded to bring about the termination of their Director of Nursing. […]
The quality and reliability of the outcomes of an investigation depends on a number of factors, not least of which is the quality of the evidence you, as an investigator, are able to collect in meeting with each of the witnesses. In addition to asking open, probing and relevant questions, an investigator should ensure that […]
Interviewing staff who are traumatised, emotionally distressed or highly resistant to your process, takes a toll on the impartial investigator. Analysing evidence and defending your impartial findings can also be draining, and lonely, when subtle or overt pressures are brought to bear on your professionalism, or your conclusions. Effective investigators should exercise self-care to remain […]
Workplace romances are once again in the news thanks to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Barnaby Joyce, MP. Whatever you think of the reporting on Barnaby Joyce’s relationship and pending parenthood with a former staff member, it is clear that the issue of romantic relationships at work is not going to go away. Last week, […]
With any investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct, it is imperative that the investigator maintains a neutral and objective approach, and does not make “cut corners” in the investigation process. Following the proper procedurally fair process will not only ensure that your investigation is beyond unfounded criticism, it will also mean that you are being […]
Unless a workplace investigation is to be conducted purely “on the papers”, the investigator will need to undertake interviews in order to gather relevant evidence for later analysis. But interviewing well is easier said than done! It is a skill that certainly is backed by theory and methodology, but is then best further learned, honed […]
Over the last week or so, there have been a number of high-profile individuals, including politicians and social commentators, as well as a number of Australians generally, publicly arguing either for or against the relocation of Australia Day to a date other than 26 January. The topic appears to be garnering particularly more attention this […]
“To outsource or not to outsource an investigation…” That is often the question HR professionals and senior managers are faced with when needing to conduct an investigation into serious misconduct at work. Factors of time, risk and cost will all influence this decision (see our related blog post “Warning Indicators – When to Conduct an External Investigation” […]