Workplace Investigations

HR Hat

When a workplace investigation comes up (sexual harrassment claim, theft, etc.), how is it handled at your company?

A. HR conducts investigation independently without participation of management.
B. HR conducts investigation with management.
C. Management conducts investigation.

I'm asking because I've been asked to update several HR procedures, including this one, and my HR staff say that where they have worked before, HR has always done the investigations independently.

All feedback is apppreciated. Thanks!

Jim

ACU Frank

A.

At some point, if you've determined "reasonable cause", then you may need to get management involved. Until then, one of your responsibilities (IMHO) is to make sure an unfounded charge doesn't taint one of your employees. A lot of careers have been torpedoed because too many people knew too much about too little.

Still Need Coffee

A. Final answer

At times we have to get management involved for various reasons, such as getting their statements if they are involved in a complaint situation.

NaeNae55

HR conducts investigation here, sometimes with management input (depending on the circumstances). The only time management would conduct the investigation here is if the complaint was made against HR (me). So far, so good.

ritaanz

In all the companies I have worked, HR conducted the investigation. At my present employer, my boss, the CFO, is involved. This is due to his micro managing style. If at all possible, keep the investigations strictly with HR. Trust me.

bethk

Where I work it is the CFO and the CEO who get involved. Sometimes the district managers. Apparently that has always been the case.

HR Hat

Thanks for the feedback.

My interpretation is that HR typically conducts the investigation with input from management as needed. Thanks for your help!

Jim