Michelmores Michelmores
Michelmores Michelmores
  • Home
  • Expertise
  • People
  • Insights & Events
  • Careers
  • About
  • ESG
  • Contact

Investigations

Home > Business > Employment > Investigations

Workplace investigations

Formal workplace investigations – particularly those relating to harassment, bullying, discrimination and whistleblowing – are becoming increasingly common. Often such investigations involve sensitive and complex issues, especially where they relate to high profile individuals, and could expose the organisation to significant legal risk, reputational damage or staff attrition, if handled poorly.

We are here to assist organisations carry out investigations where there is a need for external involvement. This could be for a number of reasons, such as:

  • Resource limitations;
  • Seniority or external profile of the witnesses;
  • Allegations made against or within an HR team;
  • Sensitivity or potential for adverse publicity.

Whatever the reason, our Employment Team can assist. We have significant experience with investigations into issues such as race discrimination, high profile allegations of unlawful behaviour or whistle-blowing, allegations relating to fraud, bullying, harassment and victimisation. We can also help with conducting investigations as part of disciplinary and grievance procedures, ensuring compliance with the ACAS code of practice.

Our investigation will be thorough, fair and impartial. As employment lawyers, we know the importance of getting an investigation right. There are numerous examples of Employment Tribunal decisions where poor investigations have led to a finding of unfair dismissal and in some cases even discrimination or victimisation. As external investigators, our team will investigate promptly and sensitively, without unnecessary delay, in a way which ensures minimum disruption to your organisation and mitigates legal risk.

Ordinarily, our investigation process will include reviewing all relevant policies and documents, holding investigation meetings, interviewing witnesses to obtain witness statements, analysing evidence and producing a robust investigation report containing conclusions and recommendations (and other guidance, suggested next steps, and actions to be taken, as appropriate).

As well as conducting independent investigations, we have significant experience in the following:

  • Advising and supporting in-house HR personnel, senior managers and external HR consultants on conducting workplace investigations (and any subsequent formal process) into issues such as grievances, disciplinaries, bullying allegations and whistleblowing;
  • Assisting organisations to develop strategies and practices for handling sensitive issues such as whistleblowing;
  • Providing training to businesses on conducting workplace investigations, as well as other targeted, bespoke training on dealing with tricky issues such as sexual harassment and discrimination.

Related areas

Antitrust & Regulatory
Commercial & Regulatory Disputes
Data Protection & Privacy
Employment

Employment news

View More
Investigations
Insight
The Immigration White Paper – what could this mean for UK business?
Investigations
Insight
Who is entitled to protection under whistleblowing legislation?
Investigations
Insight
The UK’s proposed Youth Mobility visa for European citizens
Investigations
Insight
What should employers be doing to prepare for the new 'failure to prevent fraud' offence, which comes into force on 1 September 2025?
Investigations
Insight
Brake Bros Ltd v Hudek: EAT overturns Tribunal decision on entitlement to additional pay where hours exceeded intended normal working hours
Investigations
Insight
EHRC publishes interim guidance following Supreme Court decision that "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 means biological sex

Contact us

+44 (0) 333 004 3456

enquiries@michelmores.com

Subscribe to updates

  • Quick Links
    • Online Payments
    • People
    • About
    • Careers
    • Staff Login
  • Legal & Regulatory
    • View all policies
    • Privacy Policy
    • Website Terms
    • Cookie Policy
    • Modern Slavery Act

Locations:

  • london
  • cheltenham
  • bristol
  • exeter

© Michelmores LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA authorisation number 463401) and registered in England and Wales under Partnership No. OC326242.
The registered office is Woodwater House, Pynes Hill, Exeter, EX2 5WR. A list of the members (all of whom are solicitors or barristers) is available for inspection at the registered office and at michelmores.com

  • © 2025 Michelmores LLP. All rights reserved
  • Website maintained by Appeal Digital