Internal Investigation Service

An internal investigation is a critical tool for safeguarding the integrity, reputation, and legal compliance of businesses. Whether addressing allegations of misconduct, ensuring regulatory adherence, or managing risks, conducting thorough investigations is essential for maintaining trust and transparency within organizations.

What is an Internal Investigation?

Internal investigations are systematic inquiries conducted within a business to assess allegations of misconduct, violations of company policies, or regulatory compliance issues. These investigations are often initiated to uncover the truth behind incidents that may affect the organization’s reputation, financial stability, or legal standing. They typically involve gathering and analyzing evidence, interviewing relevant parties, and producing a comprehensive report of findings.

When Your Business Needs to Conduct an Internal Investigation

Any employer who becomes aware of incidents of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation is obligated to conduct a thorough, unbiased, and complete investigation to determine the validity of a claim, stop any continuing behavior or circumstances that violate employment law and/or company policy, and take appropriate action against any offenders including its employees and other persons associated with the organization who are perpetrators of the harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.

Internal investigations are essential whenever there are suspicions or allegations of:

Employee Misconduct

This includes actions such as fraud, harassment, discrimination, theft, or violations of company policies.

Regulatory Compliance Issues

Businesses must adhere to various laws and regulations governing their industry. Internal investigations may be necessary to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.

Data Breaches or Cybersecurity Incidents

In the digital age, safeguarding sensitive data is paramount. Investigations are crucial to determine the cause, scope, and impact of breaches and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

Workplace Accidents or Safety Concerns

Investigations into workplace accidents or safety violations are vital for ensuring a safe working environment and preventing future incidents.

Conflicts of Interest or Ethical Breaches

Allegations of conflicts of interest, bribery, corruption, or other ethical breaches require thorough investigation to uphold integrity and trust within the organization.

Benefits of Outsourcing Internal Investigations

While some businesses conduct internal investigations using in-house resources, outsourcing these investigations to qualified external experts offers numerous benefits, including impartiality, specialized expertise, resource efficiency, and enhanced confidentiality.

Objectivity and Impartiality

External investigators bring unbiased perspectives to the investigation, ensuring fairness and impartiality in the process.

Specialized Expertise

External firms often have specialized knowledge and experience with conducting complex investigations, including forensic accounting, cybersecurity, and legal compliance.

Resource Efficiency

Outsourcing investigations allows businesses to allocate internal resources more efficiently, avoiding disruptions to daily operations and reducing the burden on internal staff.

Confidentiality and Discretion

External investigators are bound by confidentiality agreements, ensuring sensitive information remains secure and protected throughout the investigation process.

Reduced Conflict of Interest

In cases where internal personnel are involved or implicated, outsourcing the investigation helps mitigate conflicts of interest and maintains trust and credibility within the organization.

Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation

External investigators are well-versed in relevant laws and regulations, helping businesses navigate legal complexities and minimize regulatory risks.

Thoroughness and Accountability

Third-party investigators are accountable for delivering comprehensive and transparent reports, providing businesses with a clear understanding of the issues at hand and actionable recommendations for resolution.

By leveraging the services of reputable HR firms, businesses can effectively address internal challenges and protect their interests in an increasingly complex business landscape.

Internal Investigation Service from GTM

GTM has experienced senior HR professionals who have completed numerous internal investigations of claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation for private employers and municipalities alike.

GTM will provide an independent, unbiased, and seasoned HR professional who works with your organization.

As soon as GTM is aware of an employment situation that requires an internal investigation, the assigned HR consultant will make contact with the principal official of your organization on the same business day.

The HR consultant will begin the investigative process by:

Reviewing the complaint form (or if verbal, requesting that the complainant(s) complete the organization’s complaint form or otherwise document the complaint).
Ensuring harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation, or other inappropriate/unprofessional behavior has stopped by ending any contact between the claimant(s) and the accused during the investigation.
Scheduling and beginning the interview process (preferably in person) with the complainant(s), any witnesses, and the accused as soon as possible.
Reviewing any relevant documents, emails, texts, video, or audio recordings, or any other evidence submitted during the complaint or investigation.
Reviewing the employee handbook and any relevant HR file documents.
Completing a written report of the findings with a determination of the probability of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation, and recommendations for next steps; and
Reviewing the written report with the principal official and reporting the determination to the claimant(s) and accused.

All reports resulting from an internal investigation will be reviewed by the GTM HR Consulting practice leader before being submitted to the organization to ensure the report is complete, the determination is based on the facts gathered during the investigation, and the findings are aligned with federal, state, and local laws, and organizational policies.

HR services are offered through GTM HR Consulting Inc.