Workplace Investigations 101: Five Key Steps To Take In A Workplace Investigation

In Ontario, an employer must ensure that an appropriate investigation is conducted into incidents or complaints of workplace harassment.

In this article, we outline the 5 key steps to take in a workplace investigation.

The 5 key steps in a workplace investigation are:

STEP 1: Have a Plan

When an incident of workplace harassment is reported, ensure you take the complaint seriously and ensure that the complainant knows it is being taken seriously. To that end, have a formal plan for how to address each complaint.

This plan should start with determining whether an investigation is necessary. Ask yourself, if the complaint is true, would the behaviour in question violate your workplace policies and/or the relevant legislation? If so, an investigation is likely required.