WORKPLACE ANALYSIS: BASIC ISSUES AND REASONS

Many different problems can lead an employer to start an investigation, and not every
investigation necessarily fits the popular profile of interrogations, witnesses under harsh lights,
and long, drawn-out detective work. Here are some common reasons why companies
investigate employees or situations:
1. attitude problems
2. substance abuse
3. discrimination complaints
4. harassment complaints
5. threats against others
6. vandalism and other sabotage
7. violations of work rules
8. safety problems
9. workplace theft

Knowing When You Need an Investigation

One of the most important skills in managing a workforce is knowing when an

investigation is in order. Here are some situations that generally call for
investigations:
1. an employee files a formal complaint or grievance
2. an employee reports a questionable situation, but says he or she does
not want to make any trouble
3. an employee's morale, behavior, or performance mysteriously
declines
4. an employee is suspected of misconduct
5. any violation of a rule

COMMON REASONS FOR COMPANY ANALYSIS

EMPLOYEE ABSENTEEISM
Fighting employee absenteeism by gathering evidence that can be use in trials.
Finding out the reasons why an employee leaves works or his/her behaviour is in
conflict with proper business relations.

DEFECTION AND MOONLIGHTING

Finding out if the employee has another job, being it detrimental or incompatible with
the main activity.

DISLOYAL PARTNERS OR EMPLOYEES

Finding out malpractice or misbehaviour which, in the case in point, are a juridical
violation of the obligations deriving from professional loyalty.

MOBBING
Finding out the existence of prolonged harassing conduct towards employees or
partners

COUNTER-ESPIONAGE
Collecting pieces of evidence proving infringement of industrial secrets and know-
how.

ANTI-SABOTAGE
Proving that attempts at damaging plants and products have been taken, thus being
detrimental to the corporate image of the enterprise.

ILLEGAL PRACTICE AND UNFAIR COMPETITION

Gathering information and probative facts proving unfair competition.
Finding out the existence of promoters of illegal business or disloyal practice, even in
an organized form.

PROTECTION OF TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS

Investigation for the protection of any type of trademarks, patents, inventions,
original and intellectual work.

BLACKMAIL, HARASSMENT AND EXTORTION

Finding out the existence, in a business, of perpetrators of blackmail, harassment or
extortion.

THEFT AND FRAUD

Investigation of theft and fraud, aimed at finding thieves and recovering stolen
property.

COUNTERFEITING
Finding out counterfeiting and forgery and, possibly, tracing the counterfeited
products and the authors of the crime.

TELEPHONE LINES AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEBUGGING

Removing visual, sound and recording equipment used for secretly hearing or
recording conversations.

PRE-RECRUITMENT INQUIRIES
Assessment of the reliability of a candidate for recruitment’s CV. Drafting a
psychological profile of the candidate.

CUSTOMER “INCOGNITO”
Investigation carried out by our special agents as customers incognito, in order to
assess the quality of services in shops, outlets, etc.

INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION
Investigation carried out abroad by our mother-tongue agents or our network
correspondents in situ.

References:

Workplace Investigations-Basic Issues for Employers (n.a. n.d.).Texas WorkForce.

Retrieved from
<http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/efte/workplace_investigations_basics.html>.

Investigations for Companies (n.a. n.d.). P&P Investigation. Retrieved from

<http://www.pp-investigazioni.it/eng/our-services/investigations-for-
companies.html>.