Investigation Principles

Effective investigations in harassment cases balance fairness, confidentiality, and timely action. Investigators must remain independent from the parties and avoid bias throughout the process.

Key standards include: confidentiality, timeliness, impartiality, accuracy, and consistent application of policy across incidents.

• Intake and initial assessment
• Develop an interview plan and evidence checklist
• Gather and preserve evidence
• Conduct interviews with all relevant individuals
• Evaluate findings against policy standards
• Document conclusions and proposed actions

Roles and timelines: HR, designated investigators, and legal/compliance teams collaborate within defined timelines to protect survivors and maintain non-retaliation goals.