Abstract
Investigation of workplace bullying and harassment complaints is one action employers may take, or in some circumstances must take, when concerns and allegations of misconduct or toxic work environment occur. Yet, there is often a lack of clarity as to the purpose and process of investigation. Informed by an international review of practitioner and academic literature, as well as the authors’ considerable complaint investigation training and experience in Canadian and Australian workplace and legal environments, this chapter provides an overview and discussion of evolving complaint investigation principles and practices. The purpose and practical outcomes of investigation of workplace bullying and harassment complaints are identified, alternatives to investigation are compared and the legal and policy context of complaint investigation is discussed. Investigation steps from allegations to resolutions are outlined, roles discussed and considerations for selection of investigators highlighted. Frameworks are suggested concerning characteristics of proper investigation and the purpose of complaint investigation. Readers are introduced to important principles of investigation integrity, procedural fairness, credibility assessment and use of a balance of probabilities standard of proof. With the aim of improving complaint investigation and to continue the evolution of essential principles and practices, the authors identify issues and raise questions to encourage examination and future research by investigators and scholars alike.
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Burr, C., Wyatt, A. (2021). Investigation of Workplace Bullying and Harassment Complaints. In: D'Cruz, P., Noronha, E., Caponecchia, C., Escartín, J., Salin, D., Tuckey, M.R. (eds) Dignity and Inclusion at Work. Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment, vol 3. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0218-3_6
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