HANDBOOK
We firmly believe knowledge is best shared
That’s why our experienced investigators, along with leading legal experts, developed a practical best practice investigations guide for internal workplace investigators, and the HR, legal and compliance practitioners responsible for conducting investigations into employee complaints.
Workplace Investigations: Principles and Practice (2nd edition) details fundamental legal principles and accepted practices and processes for workplace investigations, and offers practical advice on how to respond to common investigation challenges.
Six chapters are dedicated to examining specialist investigations into bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination and whistleblower complaints.
The guide covers investigation fundamentals including:
- assessing when an investigation is required
- scoping and planning an investigation
- preparing for and conducting respectful interviews
- taking a trauma-informed approach and employing culturally responsive practices
- identifying, collecting and analysing evidence
- maintaining confidentiality when dealing with whistleblowers and protected disclosures
- drafting factual allegations that are practical and legally defensible
- making findings of fact in a procedurally fair way
- managing common difficulties that may arise during an investigation
Edited by: Paula Hoctor, founder and Principal of Q Workplace Solutions, and Kerryn Tredwell, Q Workplace Solutions Practice Leader and Workplace Investigator.
Written by: A team of 23 highly experienced investigations and legal experts.
BOOK
REVIEWS
This book should be applauded for providing a much-needed best-practice guide for workplace investigations. Whilst the focus is undoubtedly on the obligations and duties of employers and investigators, the book’s detailed analysis and discussion about the workplace investigations model generally should prove useful to anybody engaged in the process.
SARAH FORD
Associate Gilshenan & Luton Legal Practice, and
Member of the Queensland Law Society Occupational Discipline Law Committee
There are very few Australian authoritative texts on workplace investigations, so this collection of 21 chapters discussing both practical and legal aspects of workplace investigations fills a very niche place in the market for practitioners engaged in or engaging others to carry out workplace investigations. It is useful both as a source of practical tips and “lived experience” wisdom concerning undertaking workplace investigations and also grounded in the law and influenced by comments made in legal decisions where workplace investigations had occurred and were either praised or criticised, usually the latter.
JOANNA BETTERIDGE
Senior Fellow, Monash University
Lecturer in 2024 in Workplace Investigations and Misconduct, Discrimination Law and Human Rights at Work and The Law of Workforce Management
