Our team have been involved in the aftermath of some of the most high-profile corporate scandals of recent years. We have particular expertise in the financial services sector and have been involved in a variety of situations involving internal investigations and external regulatory agencies in the UK, Switzerland, the EU and the US.
We have substantial experience undertaking HR investigations on behalf of HR teams, particularly where the matter involves high-risk (reputational or otherwise), regulatory or whistleblowing considerations. There is usually a need for the investigation to be carried out by a separate firm to the firm that is advising the corporate upon the legal issue and we are often recommended by the corporate’s usual lawyers for this purpose.
Whilst corporates often use HR consultants for routine day-to-day investigations there is a great advantage to instructing solicitors to carry out investigations where the issues are sensitive or complex. It is sometimes possible for the investigation to be carried out under legal privilege, and even in circumstances where that is not possible or appropriate, we have the significant expertise and resources necessary to assess and opine on complex and/or sensitive workplace issues.
We can carry out HR investigations into allegations of bullying, harassment or discrimination, grievances by or against senior employees, senior disciplinaries, whistleblowing disclosures involving HR matters and employee or union concerns that employers’ policies are discriminatory.
