investigations in the workplace are the new firing squads. as soon as an employer announces an investigation of an employee, that employee is usually suspended.
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let’s give a concrete example — an allegation of harassment arising from one comment or gesture. harassment is a pattern of conduct that the alleged harasser knows or should know is unwelcome. a single act (unless it is egregious) seldom justifies a full investigation. however, if someone objects to the behaviour (words or conduct) of a co-worker, that co-worker should be told such behaviour is objectionable and must not be repeated. generally, a warning should suffice. if the behaviour provably recurs, the co-worker should usually be terminated and an investigation is seldom necessary. the underlying facts are usually not difficult to ascertain.
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