During the current economic climate, employees are less likely to leave their employment and move to an alternative employer since it often means loss of their Employment Rights (redundancy eligibility etc). Therefore employment and workplace disputes are more likely to result in either more grievances, more disciplinary matters to investigate, or more requests for mediation services. Each of these approaches has its’ own place in the dispute resolution process. Making a Difference undertakes all forms of dispute resolution work.
With current workloads it is sometimes a challenge for managers to make the time to undertake a comprehensive disciplinary or grievance investigation. The Making a Difference Team can undertake this task for you which would have the added advantage of being done by an unbiased independent person, taking claims of bias out of the equation, and adding credence to the findings.
Marilyn has undertaken over 500 employment investigations which include discipline, grievance, safeguarding, whistleblowing and bullying & harassment.
Marilyn has been trained in all aspects of discrimination by the Tribunals Service and regularly undertakes extremely complex discrimination investigations across the full spectrum of topics covered by the Equality Act 2010 and is available to advise the Team on these matters when required.
During the current year alone, the Team have conducted investigations into the following allegations:-
- Sexual harassment of a subordinate
- Race discrimination
- Bullying & Harassment (several cases across all levels)
- Victimisation (treating one employee differently)
- Serious breach of policy
- Safeguarding (Cases involving adults and children)
- Breach of ICT Policy
- Financial irregularities
- Homophobic Discrimination
- Parental complaint regarding treatment of a child
- Bullying & Harassment by a Headteacher
- Unfair selection for redundancy
- Mental Health Dismissal (Capability)
- Failure to report a safeguarding issue
- Falsifying evidence on a job application form
- Failure to make reasonable adjustments (Disability discrimination)
Please contact Marilyn for a free opinion on the most beneficial approach.