Investigations & Employee Relations Specialist Areas
Complex Investigations and Process Support
Grievances
The workplace grievances we investigate are often complex, sensitive and involve senior individuals. The issues raised within grievances can have a significant impact on the well-being of those involved, as well as on teams and the wider organisation. Our grievance investigations are comprehensive, thorough and carried out as swiftly as possible to help you navigate these risks.
Our expert investigators get to the heart of the issues in a compassionate way. Our experience means that, if required, we have the expertise to offer insightful recommendations for further action and support to help your organisation find a way forward.
Disciplinaries
It can be costly if disciplinary investigations go wrong. Not only can this have a negative impact on the individuals involved, but you run the risk of reputational damage and legal implications. Our independence and professionalism offer reassurance and support to those involved through what can be a difficult process. Our in-depth approach to investigations combined with our detailed investigation reports will help your organisation to devise the best way to manage the issues, with the assurance of a robust and rigorous investigation behind its actions.
Discrimination
It is essential that allegations of discrimination are dealt with sensitively, robustly and in a way which is legally compliant. Our investigators have significant experience of navigating the legal framework in this area and in managing complex complaints of discrimination including where there are multiple protected characteristics. Concerns of discrimination can be highly emotive, and our investigators are equipped to handle these matters in a sensitive and compassionate way.
Relationship Breakdowns
At times working relationships within teams may become strained which can impact on the team’s performance, and often lead to dysfunction and a lack of phycological safety for team members.
These issues do not always given rise to a formal grievance, which might normally trigger an investigation, and it can therefore be difficult to find a way to identify and tackle the root cause of the issues.
Our team are skilled in being able to sensitively explore and understand sources of conflict, providing recommendations for restorative action as well as considering where there may be matters which fall under other formal processes, such as conduct, or routes such as SOSR.
Bullying and Harassment
Bullying and/or harassment contribute to a negative workplace culture, which in turn can impact detrimentally on morale, productivity and organisational reputation. When allegations of bullying and harassment are made they need to be investigated in a sensitive, unbiased and thorough way in accordance with the relevant legal frameworks and guidance.
Our investigators are committed to conducting robust but sensitive investigations, providing your organisation with the support it needs to manage the issues and create a positive workplace. Having our investigators involved provides reassurance to the individuals involved that their concerns will be addressed in an unbiased and independent manner which helps preserve the ongoing relationship between the individuals and the organisation.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment investigations require careful and sensitive handling and our team hold specific expertise in conducting investigations in this area. We have been trained in Trauma Informed approaches and have worked with a number of organisations to develop measures and deliver training in accordance with the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 20210) Act 2023 and the legal duty for employers to proactively take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is the act of reporting concerns about wrong-doing at work that affects others and can include concerns about illegal, unethical or inappropriate activities within the workplace. Whistleblowing concerns can carry significant commercial, legal, regulatory and reputational ramifications for an organisation.
We conduct our whistleblowing investigations in accordance with the legal framework and in an unbiased and independent way to ensure that workers raising such concerns are supported and protected, whilst the concerns are dealt with in a timely manner. Our reports clearly and concisely identify the facts so that your organisation can take appropriate action which will help to increase transparency in the workplace and foster an ethical culture.
MHPS/UPSW
MHPS and UPSW are national frameworks which govern the approach and management of conduct and capability concerns about doctors and dentists in the NHS. The outcomes from a MHPS/UPSW investigation are wide-ranging and can include disciplinary action being taken by the Trust/Health Board and referrals being made to a practitioner’s regulator. We have a team of trained MHPS/UPSW investigators, certified through NHS Resolution, who can undertake complex and challenging investigations, which often involve senior and Board level members of staff in England and Wales.
Investigation Training
We can design and deliver bespoke training on conducting fair and robust workplace investigations and hearing processes. This enables use to share our range of knowledge and experience which means you can equip and upskill your internal managers and Human Resources to ensure they have the skills and confidence to deliver legal compliant processes in line with best practice.
Hearing Support
We can conduct formal processes on behalf of clients including grievance processes, disciplinary (conduct) processes, capability processes and SOSR processes. Our team have hands on experience of conducting the full range of employee relations processes on behalf of clients mostly at the complex end of the spectrum.
We also have individuals within our team with specific expertise in hearing cases with clinical aspects, such as legally qualified Chair at the Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal Service. We are regularly asked to support our clients in framing disciplinary allegations following investigations that have been undertaken by us or the client.
contact us
Speak to a member of our team
contact us
Speak to a member of our team
Our friendly team is ready to answer your questions and provide clear, helpful guidance.
