DEAR COLLEAGUE

JANUARY 8TH 2025

INVESTIGATING THE INVESTIGATORS

Workplace investigations in response to alleged disciplinary concerns, allegations of discrimination or bullying or in response to staff raising protected disclosures are important. They play a crucial role in workplace culture, justice, and in patient and staff safety. They are relied upon by internal hearings and by Employment Tribunals.

Given workplace investigators in the NHS play a crucial role in some aspects of the NHS workplace, there is both a public interest and a research interest in investigating how they conduct themselves, and their impact on such conflict and the individuals investigated.

Research demonstrates there are significant risks of bias and quality in how investigations, including workplace investigations, are carried out – whether by internal or external investigators.

There is no statutory regulation of any kind. Anyone can set them selves up as an “investigator”. Some are members of the Association of British Investigators whose own website confirms that the work of workplace investigators is an “unregulated sector” https://www.theabi.org.uk/ [1]

The sector appears to include lots of very small companies and a small number of larger companies of whom the two best known are probably IBEX GALE and CAPSTICKS. The large external  investigator organisations receive very significant sums of public money from the NHS and other bodies for conducting such investigations.

Our investigation will consist of:

• A rapid literature review
• A survey limited to those with direct involvement in workplace
  investigations
• Some follow up case studies
• Findings and recommendations

It will not in any way identify any interviewees and will not identify any of the employers because that may inhibit respondents’ willingness to speak openly.

The final report will identify investigator organisations as appropriate.

The CONFIDENTIAL ONLINE SURVEY WILL BE LAUNCHED FROM JANUARY 8TH 2025.

Some interviews will follow. We are not setting a precise timescale because we are unclear how many interviews will be conducted.

The investigation will be advised by a small panel of those who have been subject to investigations, those who have been investigators, and those who have had direct involvement as commissioners of investigations or in advising those investigated – such as trade union officials or lawyers.

To take part in the survey please use the link below. We ask you to include your email address at the bottom to preserve the integrity of the survey and prevent multiple responses from one person. Neither the email or the name of the respondent will be used for ANY other purpose and will not be disclosed to anyone.

THE DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES TO BE RECEIVED WILL BE JANUARY 31ST 2025.

If you have any further queries, please contact research@kline.org.uk

Many thanks

Roger Kline

If you wish to see examples of my research publications and blogs you can find these at www.rogerkline.co.uk [2]

Links:
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[1] https://www.theabi.org.uk/
[2] http://www.rogerkline.co.uk