Internal investigation: how to prepare for the aftermath?
How to get the individuals involved in an internal whistleblowing report to work together again ?
During our latest TalkEthic held on March 27, Sandra Laham and Anne-Hélène Béranger shared numerous concrete insights on their methodology and the guiding principles needed to properly prepare for the aftermath…
- Upstream preparation
- The aftermath of an internal investigation must be prepared well before the closure of theinternal investigation and the internal whistleblowing report
- It concerns all individuals involved in the internal investigation: whistleblower, accused parties and witnesses and, potentially, other employees from the relevant department.
- A internal investigation well conducted from the start brings benefits for the company and its employees : strengthened trust in the company, its leaders and the individuals responsible for handling reports, reduced psychosocial risks, better-secured disciplinary sanctions, etc.
- How ?
The post-investigation phase is prepared :
- By following a genuine investigation methodology, and guiding principles, notably transparency, discretion, impartiality, and objectivity.
- By protecting the whistleblower
- By maintaining confidentiality at every stage of interviews and document reviews
- With an appropriate approach during interviews – neutral empathy, while actively listening and asking both incriminating and exculpatory questions
- With the ability to impose sanctions, regardless of the hierarchical level of the accused
Trust is built investigation after investigation, and the more time passes, the more trust grows when the company and its leaders have been able to build on previous investigations.
- Some concrete examples
The post-investigation phase may include :
- Organizational measures (e.g.: clarifying roles and responsibilities, reviewing job descriptions)
- Behavioral follow-up measures (e.g.: helping to communicate better, improving emotional management)
- Sanctions, when the facts warrant them, even if the accused has acknowledged their mistake
- Preventive measures for detecting early warning signs
Let’s stay in touch and continue the discussion!
Sandra Laham
