Imagine these scenarios…
• You’ve noticed that money is missing from the till
• An “I wish to raise a formal grievance” email has landed in your inbox
In situations like these, you need to complete a proper workplace investigation.
At its heart, an investigation is just a structured way to gather facts about what did or didn’t happen.
It’s not the same as a disciplinary process – it comes before that stage and helps you to figure out if any further action is needed.
Many business owners skip this key step or do it too casually, which can lead to:
• Increased tension between team members
• Potential claims of unfair treatment
• Legal risks if proper procedures aren’t followed
The right investigator makes all the difference. Look for:
• Someone with investigation know-how (or guided by someone who has it)
• Someone patient who can stay objective
For smaller businesses, this might be a manager from another team or an external HR consultant who can bring fresh eyes to the situation.
Good planning makes interviews go smoothly:
• Keep your approach consistent with everyone
• Take good notes or record the chat (with permission)
• Let people bring a colleague for support if they want
• Stay calm and non-judgmental, even when things get heated
Remember that people might be nervous or on edge. A friendly but professional approach helps you to get to the truth.
This is where your detective hat goes on:
• Spot patterns and things that don’t add up
• Check what your company policies say
• Think about the bigger picture
• Weigh up how reliable different stories are
Take your time to build the full picture rather than rushing to conclusions.
Once you’ve figured things out:
• Be straight about what happens next
• Talk to people privately and kindly
• Explain how you made your decision
• Be ready for questions
How you share the news matters almost as much as what you’re saying.
The job isn’t done when you share the results:
• Check in with everyone involved in the weeks after
• Think about what might prevent similar issues
• Take a fresh look at your policies – do they need tweaking?
Good notes protect your business and show that you’ve been fair and thorough.
Investigations can be tough, but having a plan makes them less stressful for everyone:
• Keep things confidential – no gossip
• Make sure everyone has support
• Stick to the facts, not personalities
• Remember that doing it right protects everyone
Even the messiest situations become doable with the right approach.
If you’re dealing with a tricky investigation or just want to make sure you’re on the right track, an HR consultant can:
• Step in as a neutral investigator
• Help you to talk to everyone involved
• Take the weight off your shoulders
• Make sure you’re ticking all the legal boxes
If you’re facing a situation that needs careful handling, we can guide you through it and take the pressure off.