Raiseaconcern.com

Investigations

Where an employee raises a concern about suspected wrongdoing, it is critically important for the employer to investigate it thoroughly, professionally and promptly.

Ineptitude, inexperience or devoting insufficient time can result in a botched investigation process.  This can give rise to adverse legal consequences.

A delay in investigating can result in perpetuation of wrongdoing or tampering with evidence.  It may prompt an employee who has raised a concern about the wrongdoing to escalate it outside the organisation to a regulator or to the press.

In some instances, it is just not appropriate to have an investigation conducted internally.  Employers sometimes need an independent, impartial and demonstrably objective process of investigation, conducted in a thorough and professional manner.

Raiseaconcern Investigates

At Raiseaconcern we have a small team of highly experienced specialist investigators.  We can:

• Undertake independent investigations on your behalf
• Advise you on an investigation
• Provide oversight and independent quality assurance of an investigation
• Review investigation processes and findings

We can also design investigation protocols on your behalf and train your investigators.

In all cases where we get involved in the investigation process, we take appropriate care to ensure that there is no conflict of interest with the employees whose concerns are being investigated.

Our experience

Our investigators at Raiseaconcern have extensive experience.  Raiseaconcern is the cascade leader (first choice outsourced service provider) in a public procured tender process for the conduct of workplace investigations, particularly related to matters of Dignity at Work (bullying, harassment and sexual harassment) across the Irish public service.  We have been contracted to complete in excess of 100 such investigations.  We are also the external service provider for other publicly tendered and privately retained services for the conduct of such investigations.

Our modus operandi

We operate to a number of overriding principles when conducting investigations:

• We undertake our work thoroughly, efficiently and expeditiously. We adhere to the Terms of Reference and only deviate following consultation and agreement with the client.
• During the investigation, we keep our clients informed both on an agreed schedule and also in the event of material developments. Where necessary, we alert our clients to any concerns we have about interference with or destruction of evidence or influence or interference with the Discloser or witnesses.
• We allow all parties due process, respect their rights and treat them with fairness and equity. We operate on a principle of innocence until proven guilty and we do not speculate.
• We attempt to earn the trust and confidence of all parties and seek support for them where required.
• Where required, we protect the identity of the Discloser and meet the requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
• We establish and validate facts. We do not ask leading questions.
• We document findings and compile a referenced audit trail. We support our findings with evidence.
• Our opinions, where required, are considered and well-reasoned.
• Our reports are clear, comprehensive and capable of being used as legal evidence. Where we consider it necessary, we seek legal advice on any areas of uncertainty which may have a material bearing on an investigation.
• We are sensitive and operate discreetly. We take appropriate steps to protect and secure the confidentiality of the process and of all information collected.
• We apply a ‘four eyes’ principal. All our reports are reviewed and challenged by an experienced member of our staff not directly involved in the investigation.

You can review the bios of our Specialist Investigators here.