HR and Workplace Investigations
Acting independently, compassionately and with rigour
Our experienced HR Consultants undertake complex employee investigations in the workplace. We will fully manage the investigation ensuring an impartial external perspective on the situation to be investigated.
We specialise in conducting:
Grievance investigations
Disciplinary Investigations
Bullying and Harassment investigations
Whistleblowing Investigations
Lessons Learned Reviews
and supporting the implementation of Agreed Actions
Policy and Process review
Commissioning HR Ltd can provide you with the provision of a dedicated HR Professional support to your workplace investigations. This will ensure that an external perspective and impartiality is given to the case. Our consultants have vast experience of investigating complex cases externally and at a senior level.
Our support can include but is not limited to:
- Agreeing, or drafting, and working within the Terms of Reference under which we will conduct the investigation.
- Drafting an Investigation Plan.
- Reviewing supporting information and documentation provided by the client and all parties.
- Breaking down the issue to be investigated into clear points to be investigated.
- Agreeing how to investigate the complaint.
- Identifying key witnesses
- Conducting confidential investigation meetings with key parties; interviewing the person who the complaint has been raised against, relevant potential witnesses and gathering statements.
- All written communication, eg letters and documents for each stage of the process.
- Submission of a comprehensive written investigation report and supporting appendices with a recommendation to the client on the next steps they should take.
- Feedback to the client contact throughout the investigation.
Tesitmonials
Thank you for your report. I think it is a very thorough, well-balanced report, so thank you for the time you have taken on this. You can see how complex it has been.
The way that you have interacted with me and the way that you have led this has been exceptional. It’s always been really clear to me in all of the hours we’ve spent together that you are absolutely nailed on with what you’re doing, that there’s no favour, there’s no fear, there’s nothing, you are absolutely nailed on. But in the same vein you have been so courteous and caring of me….. you’ve led the process superbly.
None of the process is easy for you, in terms of the workload and the listening and all of the emotion that’s tied in, and all of the policy that has to be adhered to properly, all of that, and you’re trying to find a path through that. But you do it so exceptionally well, and I’m really, really grateful from a personal point of view for that, but also from an organisational point of view to know that the investigation, whatever the outcomes, is in such good hands, from an organisational point of view, is superbly affirming.
I just wanted to get in touch to not only thank you for your time to support the grievance appeal process, but also for the time that you took to produce a high quality report as part of this process.
I am aware that some alternative views may have been expressed today by the person raising the grievance, but I wanted to express to you, as panel Chair, how useful, balanced, and robust the panel have found your report to be, especially in the sensitive circumstances which you were operating in.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement with our organisation and for the case work that you are supporting us with. We look forward to continuing to engage with you.
Case Studies: some examples of our work
A few select Examples of Casework and Investigations that we have undertaken
1. Grievance Investigation.
A large Community Interest Organisation engaged Commissioning HR to undertake a grievance investigation against senior members of the organisation. This was a complex and multi-faceted grievance and required an independent investigation to be free from any bias. Terms of Reference for the investigation were agreed. Commissioning HR interviewed the employee raising the grievance and the parties the grievance was against. After conclusion of all the interviews, a detailed investigation report was written which included further recommendations and learning outcomes. The investigation report was well received by the organisation, and they were receptive to the recommendations proposed.
A second independent grievance investigation that had been received at the same time was also conducted concurrently.
2. Whistleblowing and Grievance investigations.
A GP practice engaged Commissioning HR to investigate a whistleblowing case against a senior member of the practice, and a practice partner.
At the same time, 3 other independent complaints were raised against the senior member, all of which had their unique allegations of a grievance nature.
These were investigated at the same time and separate reports produced.
3. Grievance Investigation – bullying & harassment and sex discrimination case.
A large organisation engaged Commissioning HR to investigate a 32-page grievance which had an additional 52 supporting appendices against a senior member of staff from a member of their team.
The investigation was started shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly switched from a face-to-face investigation to online.
4. Disciplinary Investigation
A medium sized charity engaged Commissioning HR to investigate allegations from an external commissioner against a manager of neglect and failing to respond to COVID-19 measures to protect service users as instructed. This investigation involved interviewing internal senior managers and external professionals, including Public Health experts.
Commissioning HR have been engaged to investigate two separate cases from the Charity since, due to the quality of the work produced: a grievance allegation of a racial nature from an employee against their manager; and a grievance from a senior member of staff against the CEO of a bullying nature.
5. Grievance Investigations x 2
An SME engaged Commissioning HR to investigate a grievance complaint from an employee against their manager. They had started to investigate this internally and found they were too close to the situation to gain an impartial view. Additionally, the manager whom the complaint had been made against had subsequently raised a complaint against the employee without the knowledge that the complaint had been received against them. Commissioning HR investigated both cases simultaneously using different investigators.
Cost
We conduct HR Investigations on time spent, charging at an hourly rate for hours worked.
The total cost will therefore depend on the complexity of the case.
£
Simple cases, with 1 to 4 interviewees and a limited number of straightforward issues. These type of investigations typically last 2-3 weeks including the write up of a simple investigation report.
££
Standard cases, with more then 4 interviewees and/or a number of issues to be investigated. These type of investigations typically last 4-6 weeks including the write up of a thorough investigation report.
£££
Complex cases. Typically, complex cases consisting of a multitude of issues and terms of reference. Cases often involve allegations of bullying and harassment, whistleblowing or complex grievances. A large number of documents will often be submitted for reviewing. The numbers of interviewees are often greater in number.
Triage Service
In some cases where two or more people are at conflict, our mediation service may best help them to resolve their differences.
We offer a triage service to help determine the best way to reach a resolution.
We will:
