Misconduct Investigation
A structured workplace investigation that delivered clear findings and a defensible outcome, while protecting confidentiality and minimising operational disruption.
At-a-glance
Service area: Workplace Investigations
Client type: SME with a front-line workforce
Industry: Retail / Trade Supply
Engagement outcome: Findings issued, recommendations implemented, leaders supported through outcome delivery
Confidentiality: Details anonymised and may be representative to protect privacy.
The situation
A serious complaint was raised involving alleged inappropriate workplace conduct. The business needed to respond quickly, but also carefully—balancing fairness, confidentiality, and the practical reality of maintaining service delivery.
Leaders were concerned about taking action without a clear evidence pathway, particularly given the risk of escalation if the process was perceived as biased or incomplete.
Risks we needed to manage
Procedural fairness: ensuring the process was defensible and each party had an appropriate opportunity to respond
Evidence discipline: avoiding reliance on assumptions, hearsay, or informal accounts without proper testing
Confidentiality: containing the matter to those who genuinely needed to know
Manager messaging: preventing inconsistent language or “off the cuff” conversations creating unnecessary exposure
Business continuity: progressing the matter without destabilising day-to-day operations
Documentation quality: ensuring records would stand up to scrutiny if later challenged
Our approach
Triage and scope
Confirmed the nature of the complaint, key issues to be determined, and the appropriate investigation pathway.Process design
Set clear steps, timeframes, and evidence standards. Confirmed roles and communications boundaries for leaders.Interviews and evidence
Conducted structured interviews and reviewed relevant records to corroborate events and test competing accounts.Findings and recommendations
Prepared findings aligned to the evidence, and recommended proportionate next steps to address behaviour and reduce recurrence risk.Outcome implementation support
Equipped leaders with scripts and documentation to deliver the outcome consistently and appropriately.
What we delivered
Investigation plan and scope confirmation
Interview question set and structured note-taking framework
Evidence schedule (what was reviewed and why)
Findings summary with clear rationale (aligned to evidence)
Practical recommendations (behavioural, procedural, and documentation improvements)
Outcome meeting support pack (manager script + letter templates)
Record-keeping guidance to improve defensibility for future matters
The outcome
The business reached a clear, evidence-based outcome and delivered it with consistency and appropriate confidentiality controls. Leaders had a defensible pathway to act, and the matter was concluded without unnecessary escalation.
Importantly, the business also left with a repeatable approach and manager-ready tools—reducing reliance on ad hoc handling if similar concerns arise again.
Key takeaway for SME leaders
Speed matters in misconduct matters—but process matters more. When leaders follow a documented pathway, test the evidence properly, and communicate consistently, they can act with confidence while reducing the likelihood of challenge, escalation, or reputational harm.
Need a defensible investigation process that Leaders can actually follow?
Book a Free Intro Call, and we’ll map the cleanest pathway for your situation