Workplace Investigations
We provide Independent, evidence-led investigations into sensitive workplace matters. When a grievance, a whistleblowing concern or an allegation of misconduct lands, how it is handled at the start usually decides how it ends. Handled well, it can be closed in a few weeks. Handled badly, it becomes an appeal, then a tribunal claim.
Megella is brought in where a matter is sensitive, senior or complex, and the organisation needs an experienced, independent investigator to establish the facts.
What we investigate includes:- Employee grievances and grievance appeals • Whistleblowing disclosures • Bullying, harassment and discrimination complaints • Executive and senior leader conduct • Potential fraud and financial misconduct • Conflicts of interest • Breakdowns in working relationships between senior leaders • Culture and behaviour concerns • Appeals against disciplinary and dismissal decisions
How we work:- The issue is scoped properly from day one, so we investigate what matters and nothing more. • Witnesses are interviewed fairly and thoroughly, in a way that gets people talking. • Evidence is tested, and fact is kept separate from opinion. • The matter moves quickly, rather than drifting for months on a busy manager’s desk. • You get a clear, independent report, with findings that stand up if challenged.
Who we work with
On serious matters, particularly where litigation is a real possibility, we work alongside the client’s employment lawyers.
The lawyers lead on legal strategy and risk. We handle the fact-finding: the interviews, the evidence and an independent report they can rely on. Where privilege matters, we can be instructed through the client’s lawyers.
Much of our investigation work comes through law firms on exactly this basis.
Listed companies, regulated financial services firms, owner-managed businesses, start-ups and scaling businesses.
Large organisations have HR teams, but not always the time, the independence or the investigation experience. Smaller ones often have no in-house HR capacity for this kind of work at all.
Confidentiality
All investigation work is confidential. We never name clients or matters.
Who carries out the work
Jim Richardson is a chartered accountant who trained at EY, where much of his early career was in forensic accounting. He then spent 18 years in senior HR roles at Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse, RBS and Santander, and has interviewed people at every level.
That combination brings an evidence-led approach and the interviewing experience to get to the real story.
To talk through a matter in confidence, call Jim on +44 (0)7767 818327 or email jim.richardson@megella.co.uk