Derby Private Investigators – Corporate Investigations
Derby Private Investigators – Corporate Investigations With Titan
Titan Investigations Derby Private Investigators has received some fantastic feedback from a Derby based company after carrying out an in-depth corporate investigation.
How can a Titan Derby Private Investigators help your based business?
Employee Absenteeism & Misconduct Investigations
Absenteeism is an employee’s intentional or habitual absence from work. While employers expect workers to miss a certain number of work days each year, excessive absences can equate to decreased productivity and can have a major effect on company finances, morale and other factors.
Titan Private Investigation Ltd has experienced success working on behalf of SME’s and both National and International businesses across the Midlands, in some instances saving thousands in sickness pay or hundreds of thousands in injury compensation. Titan’s offices are based in Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Cambridge and London; however, we have a National reach due to our central location.
From our experience some of the most common reasons for absenteeism are;
1. To have an extended weekend or family holiday whilst being paid.
We recently investigated an employee who stated that he’d suffered an injury whilst at work. As a result, he couldn’t work, couldn’t leave the house to attend Occupational Health meetings and was too ill to drive. Our investigation uncovered that the real reason the employee couldn’t attend was that he was abroad enjoying a family holiday whilst both receiving sick pay and pursuing legal litigation for the accident.
2. Moonlighting (working elsewhere)
We have experienced cases where employees have self-certified sickness and also where they forward their doctor’s note every 2 weeks whilst working elsewhere so that they can earn 2 salaries.
3. Setting up a business
One investigation uncovered that whilst an employee was claiming sick pay she was working hard both in and out of a studio as a photographer building her newly incorporated business.
4. To be awarded compensation for an injury
This is one of the more serious forms of absenteeism, incorporating the offence of fraud, which we’re finding more and more common. This is where an employee falsely reports an accident with the intention of then claiming compensation or suffers a genuine injury but then exaggerates the symptoms with the intention of increasing the value of their claim.
The annual cost of sickness absence has climbed to almost £29 billion for UK organisations, according to new figures from PwC.
Our clients have usually commenced an unacceptable absenteeism procedure involving action plans and meetings with supervisors and other departments such as HR and Occupational Health. If this hasn’t been initiated, then we are able to offer advice and guide you through this process.
In 100% of our cases, the client has had a suspicion of varying degrees that the claim or sickness was false, however, the evidence is required to prove misconduct. That’s where Titan comes in! We produce a bespoke investigation plan based around your needs, objectives and budget.
Is it lawful to investigate an employee?
Titan only employs lawful evidence gathering techniques which are non-intrusive and don’t infringe on Human Rights, such as the right to private life and a fair trial. We’ve employed and refined these tactics in accordance with the Law since 1997 and base our investigations around proportionality and necessity.
Why do Employees Steel?
Within the workplace, there is inbuilt situational crime prevention, whether that be CCTV, access control or physical security. Employees will identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities in these over time and therefore have an opportunity to potentially bypass them. If an employee has the rationalisation and motivation they have all the elements to commit theft or fraud. This can be seen below in the fraud triangle.
Titan Private Investigation Ltd has a team of investigators who are well versed in handling employee investigations in the Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Cambridge and London areas, however, we have a National reach due to our central location. We are happy to handle the investigation in its entirety or small elements of it, whatever you as the client requires. You may require covert surveillance, the use of covert cameras or GPS tracking equipment to safeguard assets. Whatever your requirements Titan will have a solution which is legal and moral to gain the results you require.
How do a Titan’s Derby Private Investigators conduct a workplace investigation?
Make a plan
Once a complaint has been made it’s easy to get carried away and start organising interview dates. Take a step back and consider;
- Who will investigate?
- What will be investigated?
- What evidence needs to be collected?
- Who will be interviewed?
Be objective
Don’t ignore the complaint from a person who has made a complaint before or treats them with less credibility. The 10th time they come to you, you should still listen to them as if it were the first. Don’t form an opinion before the investigation is complete, pass judgment or form an opinion based on personal feeling or prior dealings.
Avoid aggressive tactics
Ask straightforward questions to get straightforward answers, and always be respectful. Lawsuits can be avoided if there is a perception of fairness and respect that is delivered across the board.
Be quick but thorough
While HR professionals have many demands on their time, it’s critical to investigate an allegation quickly. You need to make it a priority and set the time aside.
Stretching an investigation out over a lengthy period tells employees the alleged misconduct isn’t important.
Maintain confidentiality
Encourage all those involved in the investigation to keep the proceedings confidential to protect the integrity of the process. If word leaks out, other employees will lose trust and might refuse to share what they know.
Reach a conclusion
Ultimately, the investigator must weigh the evidence and conclude whether company policies were violated or misconduct occurred. In a criminal trial, prosecutors must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that an act occurred. However, the standard for workplace investigations is “the preponderance of the evidence.” Is it more likely than not that the incident occurred?
Follow up
- Submit the findings to the decision-maker who will determine what disciplinary action to take.
- Notify the employee who made the complaint that action was taken, even if details can’t be shared for privacy reasons.
Who do I contact to inquire further about Derby Corporate Investigations?
You can speak to Titan’s corporate training team by contacting one of our 7 offices nearest to your location.
London Private Investigators – Call our London Office 020 39046622
Cambridge Private Investigators – Call our Cambridge Office 01223 662022
Leicester Private Investigators – Call our Leicester Office 01162 436520
Nottingham Private Investigators – Call our Nottingham Office 01159 646950
Derby Private Investigation – Call our Derby Office 01332 504256
Sheffield Private Investigators – Call our Sheffield Office 0114 3499400
Leeds Private Investigator – Call our Leeds Office 0113 4574066
For more information or advice about Titan’s Corporate Investigations, you can contact us by via email at enquiries@titaninvestigations.co.uk or use our fully confidential contact form and one of our dedicated team will get right back to you or use our Live Chat facility to chat directly with one of our Derby Private Investigators.
