BOND LEGAL

An independent, legal perspective on investigations for the education sector

At Bond Legal, we understand that delivering independent HR or employment related investigations requires empathy, experience and discretion. It is not always easy to be objective or transparent if you are working closely with the individuals involved or if there is no dedicated HR resource within a team.

Dealing with employee misconduct and workplace grievances, including allegations of discrimination, bullying, or harassment or whistleblowing complaints, can be emotional, increase workload and cause further conflict.

As an educational institution you have a duty of care to your employees, learners and a responsibility to your Board and Trustees to manage complaints in a swift and professional manner, which is where an independent investigator can help provide the right balance.

Benefits of using an independent investigator for the education sector

There are multiple benefits of using an independent investigator that is external to the organisation and to the individuals involved in a complaint or grievance.

• Independence and impartiality

First is independence from both the institution and complainant. Hand in hand with that is the transparency and objectivity that an external investigator brings to the process.

• Peace of mind

An independent investigator delivers peace of mind that the issues raised are being taken seriously and handled fairly and objectively. This can provide reassurance to those involved, such as any complainant, governing body or regulator.

• Value for money

While external resources come at a cost, outsourcing independent investigations can save a significant amount of management time and financial resource. An experienced investigator will carry out interviews, gather evidence and produce a robust, commercially focussed and legally sound report, freeing up valuable time.

• Positive outcomes

Using an external investigator with extensive employment law and education expertise also yields positive outcomes for all parties involved. As well as providing expert analysis, a legally qualified investigator can often reveal underlying issues such as ineffective management practices or poor procedures. An independent investigator can also make recommendations for change, further saving time, money and delivering a practical action plan to enable the organisation to respond appropriately to any findings.

Looking for expert legal support with independent HR and employment investigations?

For more information about how Bond Legal could support you and your organisation with independent investigations, visit https://www.bondlegal.co.uk/services/workplace-investigations/ or contact me to arrange a no obligation, informal chat on 07905 710365 or [email protected].