Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Equality, diversity and inclusionSupplier NewsBullying and harassment

How to investigate formal complaints of harassment and bullying

by Personnel Today 18 Mar 2009
by Personnel Today 18 Mar 2009

A unique manual to guide you through the complex process of investigating formal complaints of harassment, bullying, victimisation and discrimination in the workplace has been developed by Jean Kelly Consultancy.

The consultancy has seven years’ experience of investigating more than 50 formal complaints of harassment, bullying, victimisation and/or discrimination within large public and private sector organisations – many of these involving senior staff and ultra sensitive issues. 

Jean Kelly has developed a proven system of investigation which shows you how to



  • cut through conflicting evidence
  • navigate legal minefields
  • deal with reluctant interviewees
  • find and analyse worthwhile evidence
  • adopt a professional approach to all interviews
  • reach conclusions based on facts
  • make impartial findings
  • produce a clear, evidential and transparent report

Jean Kelly said, “This manual has been developed to give you peace of mind.  Even if you have a sound policy and procedure in place for investigating formal complaints of harassment and bullying, can you be sure that your investigators – many of whom may never have had to investigate before – have the skills and expertise to undertake this responsible task?

“If you order a copy of this manual for each investigator, you will feel confident knowing that your investigators will follow a consistent approach that is sound and practised.  This will prevent them from ‘going off on a frolic of their own’ – which could leave your organisation vulnerable to litigation. 

“By providing them with copies of this manual, you will make sure your investigators are impartial and adopt an approach in line with your policy and procedures – in other words, a proven method that has stood the test of time.

“Conducting formal investigations inefficiently and in an amateurish way can be expensive in time, money, litigation and morale.  Long drawn out investigations lead to considerable time lost by the investigator (a senior member of staff), Human Resources, the parties involved and staff members who are witnesses. 

“If the investigation is not conducted efficiently, team working can break down, staff can go on long term sickness due to stress and working relationships can be seriously damaged.

“By following the proven procedure outlined in this manual, your investigators will develop skills and confidence to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a timely, impartial and fair manner.  The findings will stand up to scrutiny and be unlikely to be appealed.  Less damage will be inflicted on staff morale and less time will be wasted as the investigation will be carried out in a competent and professional manner.”

Personnel Today
Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

previous post
B&Q wins global Gallup Great Workplace accolade for third year running
next post
Unemployment tops two-million mark for first time since 1997

You may also like

Female graduates’ starting salary lower than men’s

1 Jun 2023

Leaked emails suggest RAF disadvantaged white male applicants

31 May 2023

Hybrid working: Combatting loneliness and enabling inclusion

31 May 2023

Top five findings on DEI and how to...

31 May 2023

Whitehall accused of ‘racist bias’ in civil service...

30 May 2023

Finance worker wins £32,000 after ‘hormonal’ comments

26 May 2023

Carer’s Leave Bill receives Royal Assent

25 May 2023

NHS trusts missing sexual assault policies

23 May 2023

Tesco chair steps down in wake of inappropriate...

19 May 2023

CBI appoints chief people officer after misconduct allegations

16 May 2023

  • The HR Bundle: Your one-stop guide to building a successful global HR Department PROMOTED | Get your hands on Deel’s free HR bundle...Read more
  • The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Programme PROMOTED | EAPs support employees in a range of ways...Read more
  • Intergenerational working and how to manage up and down the generations PROMOTED | The benefits and challenges of intergenerational workplaces...Read more
  • Bereavement in the workplace: How training can help HR get it right PROMOTED | HR professionals play an essential role...Read more
  • UK workforce mental wellbeing needs PROMOTED | The mental wellbeing support employers are providing misses the mark...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+