Workplace investigations

When you ask me to investigate a workplace complaint, I know you’re facing not only a disruption at your workplace, but also a risk to your people and operations. It is a privilege to be entrusted with this work and I take it seriously.

My clients engage me to objectively and accurately determine whether any misconduct occurred, and to convey my analysis, in a clear, detailed and readable report. Further, as an experienced labour and employment lawyer I’m also concerned with the longer-term, larger-scale effects that a complaint may have on your organization - and with the systemic factors that often lie behind an individual complaint. With this approach, I give you a bigger-picture view that will help you move forward more effectively and avoid future problems. For complaints that are high-profile, culturally sensitive, or otherwise high-stakes for your organization, an investigation that is attuned to these larger issues can be invaluable.

I offer my clients a transparently fair investigation process that everyone involved will agree has integrity, and I take care to write diplomatic, cogent reports that give solid reasons for every finding I make. My reports also explicitly address any contextual factors that may be relevant, from the local dynamics within your organization or community, to larger systemic realities like Canada’s colonial history or the fact of white privilege. I know I have succeeded when I receive positive feedback about my process even from those who probably hoped for a different result.

Investigations are inevitably stressful and disruptive to the workplace, and I will always let you know if I see an opportunity for an alternative resolution. As a skilled mediator and conflict coach, I can support willing parties to restore their relationships, either in place of an investigation or else in the wake of an investigation.