What is a workplace investigation?

A workplace investigation is triggered when an employer receives a complaint about one of their employees.  The investigation can take many forms: informal discussions with the parties, a formal investigation done by someone within the company, a formal investigation done by an external party hired for the purpose of doing an investigation.

As the name implies, the purpose of the investigation is to discover all of the facts surrounding the events in question.  Once those facts have been determined, the investigator will provide a type of report to the employer.  That report may or may not include recommendations.  It is up to the employer to decide what to do with the results of the investigation.

The most common formal investigations involve allegations of bullying and harassment or sexual harassment.  WorkSafe BC requires all employers to have a respectful workplace or bullying and harassment policy. Investigations of bullying or harassment will be conducted in accordance with that policy.

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