Allegations at work | Opt For Learning

Managing Performance or Harassment?

Allegations at work, Conflict at work, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying, Workplace Conflict

“Their performance is not up to standard” “My manager is bullying me”, “I’m being micro-managed”, “I have unachievable targets” As a Workplace Investigator over many years I have witnessed the negative impact of...

Learning about the term bully from Meghan’s lawyers

Allegations at work, Conflict at work, Diversity and Inlusion, Flexible workplace, News, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying, Workplace Conflict

Remarks by Meghan Markle’s lawyers about the use of the term bully may resonate for those working to prevent, resolve or investigate workplace conflict. The term bully -“gets used very, very casually” and “is used very freely and it’s a...

Banter in your workplace – easy rapport or discrimination?

Allegations at work, Conflict at work, Diversity and Inlusion, News, Opt Tips, Workplace Conflict, Workplace investigations

A perfect storm: behaviours at odds with publicly stated corporate values, immense individual distress, leadership that didn’t intervene, gravity of findings from independent investigation downplayed, resignations and enormous damage to brand, reputation and...

Let’s have some banter about banter

Allegations at work

Is your workplace ‘banter’ at risk of turning into allegations of discrimination, harassment, unfair treatment and victimisation? With multi-layered nuance and infinite differing viewpoints, freedom of speech is a hot topic, with the right to express an opinion, and...

Handling allegations at work

Allegations at work, Conflict at work, News, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying, Workplace investigations, Workplace Mediation

BBC Newsnight’s recent report on the Palace of Westminster, a public institution that should be setting the standard for exemplary practice, serves as an ideal case study to demonstrate how not to deal with allegations at work. The approach to handling...

The cost of a flawed workplace investigation

Allegations at work, Opt Tips, Workplace investigations

“The Tribunal found that the investigation into these allegations was deeply flawed.” Robinson v Combat Stress UKEAT/0310/14/JOJ is a conduct at work case that would appear to have been undermined by “very deep flaws in the totally inadequate process...

Preventing costly conflict at work

Allegations at work, News, Opt Tips, Workplace investigations

21 November 2013 Personnel Today recently reported Five costly employment tribunal awards and how to avoid similar claims. Citing the “ability of organisations to follow the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures” as a common theme,...

Poorly handled concerns in the workplace

Allegations at work, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying, Workplace investigations

Carrying out workplace investigations over the past ten years I’ve regularly encountered cases where the poor handling of an earlier concern was cited in support of allegations claiming unfair treatment, these have included: The investigation into an earlier...

Allegations at the Department of Education

Allegations at work, News, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying

14 February 2013 A lengthy grievance process, senior members of staff “perceived as intimidating”, bad language, a reported £25,000 pay out and potential Government select committee questions for the Education Secretary. Reports of events at the Department...

The importance of a fair and reasonable workplace investigation?

Allegations at work, Opt Tips, Workplace investigations

Internal investigations are now an everyday feature in the workplace. This may be in the context of anything from alleged misconduct, grievances and capability to a customer complaint and more. Many of us have experience of internal investigations, perhaps as an...

Managing diversity

Allegations at work, News, Opt Tips

Two high profile diversity surveys are currently underway: the CIPD asks Is Diversity and Inclusion Fringe or Fundamental? while HR Magazine is asking Diversity: Business strategy or just a ‘nice thing to do’? In the context of globalisation and...

Workplace investigations in the news

Allegations at work, News, Opt Tips, Workplace bullying, Workplace investigations

Investigations continue to feature in current workplace news, reflecting the potential impact and overall importance to any organisation. A former NHS worker has been awarded £933,115 by an Employment Tribunal that found he had been subject to racial discrmination and...

The distinction between a grievance and whistleblowing

Allegations at work, Opt Tips

Developed in the context of the Public Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA), workplace whistleblowing policies and procedures can address highly sensitive and emotive issues. Without appropriate training and support on how to handle such events senior management may panic,...

Managing Performance or Harassment?

Learning about the term bully from Meghan’s lawyers

Banter in your workplace – easy rapport or discrimination?

Let’s have some banter about banter

Handling allegations at work

The cost of a flawed workplace investigation

Preventing costly conflict at work

Allegations at the Department of Education

The importance of a fair and reasonable workplace investigation?

Managing diversity

Workplace investigations in the news

The distinction between a grievance and whistleblowing

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