O'Connell Workplace Relations

About

O’Connell Workplace Relations delivers all of your investigative, training, policy review and mediation needs. Our experienced team comprising specialist practitioners, each have extensive legal and human resources expertise. Our combined experience covers all sectors, including Local Government, State Government, government departments and agencies and the corporate sector.

Each member of our team has a passion for making a difference for you and your staff, either through more positive workplace cultures, more educated staff or enhanced HR structures and processes.

The services offered by O’Connell Workplace Relations span two main areas: Investigations, and Prevention.

INVESTIGATIONS

An employee complaint about a workplace issue should be treated seriously. A prompt, thorough and impartial investigation can provide employers with the information they need to quickly resolve a matter. It can also deal with an employer’s legal obligation to investigate complaints in an effective, fair manner – including taking any necessary corrective action.

The unfortunate reality of modern workplace relations is that at some stage, most employers will need to conduct a workplace investigation. Poorly conducted workplace investigations can lead to the original issue remaining unresolved as well as allegations of procedural fairness not being provided and decisions being overturned by reviewing tribunals such as the Fair Work Commission.

O’Connell’s employment lawyer-investigators are workplace specialists who conduct independent, professional investigations into all types of workplace complaints. Bringing together both legal expertise and a realistic HR perspective, our independent investigations ensure the employer’s compliance with legal requirements while also enhancing employee relations by demonstrating the employer’s commitment to a workplace free of harassment, discrimination and other inequities (whether actual or perceived).

O’Connell’s investigators have extensive experience in conducting workplace investigations into issues such as:

- Bullying and harassment

- Inappropriate employee conduct

- Discrimination and diversity issues

- Grievance allegations

- Executive + senior staff improprieties

- Workplace disputes

- Whistleblower complaints + protected disclosures

The advantages of retaining O’Connell to conduct your workplace investigations includes the following benefits:

- We use a proven methodology to ensure procedural fairness throughout the investigative process

- Investigations are conducted promptly and not delayed due to internal commitments

- Unbiased investigation by an external, impartial third-party

- Increased objectivity and credibility of the process and outcomes

- Assurances that procedural fairness has been afforded to all parties

- The O’Connell Workplace Relations team are fully qualified and experienced workplace investigators who have between them conducted hundreds of investigations

- We deliver a detailed and fully justified report that will support your internal processes and stand up to review by external tribunals if necessary.

- Facilitates a prompt finalisation of matters which allows staff to quickly resume their normal work

- Avoids disruption to internal resources otherwise needed for an investigation

- Allows your HR staff to not become involved in the investigative process, and more able to add value to post investigation actions without claims of conflict of interest

- Proceeds with minimal disruption to your workplace – interviews are normally conducted at your business or a neutral venue

- Normally less expensive than using your existing solicitors and/or law firm.

Should an internally conducted workplace investigation be challenged by any parties involved, O’Connell can conduct an independent review of your company’s internal investigation process and make recommendations.