Experienced workplace investigators are well aware that when two or more people are in dispute, there will inevitably be differing perspectives on what ‘the truth’ might look like. Contentious workplace issues can often play out in a ‘he said, she said’ fashion, with one allegation being closely followed up by a second person’s counter-allegation. Such complications should be dealt with in a fair, considered and methodical way.
Separate allegations made by opposing parties will ideally be dealt with in discrete stages by workplace investigators, with each being handled in accordance with its individual merits. And as evidence comes to light regarding one or more of the competing allegations, investigators should aim to assess and weigh each piece of information with utmost care and objectivity.
When two tribes go to war
When a counter-allegation is initially made, it is important not to jump to conclusions regarding this development. It does not necessarily mean that the first complainant was misrepresenting events or indeed that the second complainant is somehow defensive, guilty or panicky. It is possible that both the original and the counter complaints are valid.
Let’s take an example: perhaps she took his stapler and he wiped her hard-drive. Two complete denials on the same issue can require the workplace investigator to look more closely at the milieu of the counter-allegations. For instance, if two workers in a scuffle both identically calm that “I did nothing – she pushed me”, an astute investigator will know that a pointed and methodical approach to the counter-allegations is certainly called for.
In each of these scenarios, both allegations should be investigated and dealt with separately. It can be tempting to create one big file entitled ‘Stapler/hard-drive fiasco’ or ‘Smith and Jones stoush’. Yet clear delineations between people, events and timing will ensure that impartiality and clarity are maintained for the duration of the investigation and that the validity of each complaint is tested.
Seen and unseen allegationS
Very occasionally a workplace investigation involving counter-allegations will be easily settled. For example, the employee might not have been at work on the day that she allegedly stole the stapler – a simple mistake, evidenced by the work roster and now the complaint file can (on that issue at least) be finalised.
If only things were so simple… In most workplace situations, the investigator will need to step carefully through complex evidence attached to each allegation. Some events might be directly witnessed in a cut and dried way; Brown was in the kitchen with Smith and Jones on 7 December 2017 and can confidently say she saw Smith push Jones, who then walked away. Yet in many cases there are no witnesses to wrongdoing in the workplace and the ‘he did/she did’ scenario must be dealt with.
Further clarification in many forms becomes the best way to methodically tease out the knots of knowledge. This might take the form of documentary evidence, circumstantial evidence such as presence at a meeting that day, or a contemporaneous report such as an OH&S report involving counter-complainants. A tidy pattern of good circumstantial evidence can at times provide the clarity needed in the face of vehement counter-allegations. The workplace investigator must carefully assess the quality, reliability and utility of such material, being sure not to make assumptions and/or factual errors along the way.
Hearsay – treading lightly on complex terrain
As with all areas of law and investigations, hearsay evidence can provide helpful insights in situations where nothing more concrete is available. Hearsay is generally words or things observed by an individual who was not directly present when an event occurred. In other words, it is a type of indirect evidence. A simple idea, but surprisingly difficult to manoeuvre successfully during investigations.
Great care is needed in these situations, as hearsay evidence is notorious for causing problems later in post-investigation proceedings. Employees may go home and talk openly to their spouse about distressing events. Or they stomp back to their desks, muttering to a colleague about ‘the stapler thief’. Yet the spouse or the colleague cannot tell us much about what actually happened. They are a friendly ear – after the alleged event.
Such indirect evidence can be the least helpful in many cases. However, experienced investigators will know how to gather and utilise such material when more direct evidence is difficult to obtain.
Workplace allegations and motivations
It is not unheard of that rather ulterior motives can exist in a workplace allegation. When stories are not gelling, it is natural for the workplace investigator to think – what am I missing? Why would this person make this up? It is important to consider the possibility that rivalries, emotional issues and/or collusion might unfortunately form part of the mix that has motivated an internal complaint. While it does not pay to assume such a phenomenon, investigators should be aware that such dynamics can and do arise in the workplace.
In workplace investigations, we find that it is never simple. If you have an investigation that has ‘blown’ out, or you are reviewing cross and counter complaints and could use some professional assistance, then contact WISE today.
Content retrieved from: http://www.wiseworkplace.com.au/_blog/WISE_Blog/post/counter-allegations-who-did-what-when/.