Employee Misconduct Investigation

Objective, Confidential Investigations to Safeguard Your Business

Many organizations and their employees today are under attack – not just by external threats, but often by their very own employees and co-workers. According to a 2023 survey, 52% of employees have experienced or witnessed inappropriate, unethical, or illegal behaviors at work. And, in a 2024 survey, 38% of global respondents admitted they would behave unethically to advance their careers.

Employee misconduct can have serious consequences for an organization, including financial losses, damage to reputation, and disruptions to the workplace. With decades of experience in forensic investigations and electronic discovery, Forensic Discovery provides employee misconduct investigation services to help organizations identify and address internal issues swiftly, discreetly, and effectively. Forensic Discovery is your best defense against employee misconduct!

Scope of Services

Whether you’re dealing with theft, harassment, or violations of company policy, the experts at Forensic Discovery are here to apply best practices developed through training and years of experience to uncover the truth and help you take the necessary actions to protect your organization. Here’s how we provide employee misconduct investigation services to our clients:

Types of Employee Misconduct We Investigate

At Forensic Discovery, our team investigates a wide range of employee misconduct issues, providing thorough and unbiased findings that support your decision-making process. Examples of the types of misconduct we investigate include:

• Theft and Embezzlement: We investigate cases where employees are suspected of stealing company property, funds, or intellectual assets.
• Harassment and Discrimination: Our team conducts sensitive and thorough investigations into claims of workplace harassment, bullying, or discrimination, ensuring a fair and compliant resolution.
• Fraud and Financial Misconduct: We investigate employees suspected of committing financial fraud, including falsifying records, expense fraud, or manipulating financial statements.
• Data and Intellectual Property Theft: Our experts are experienced in investigating the theft or unauthorized sharing of confidential company data or intellectual property.
• Workplace Policy Violations: We handle investigations related to breaches of company policies, including violations of IT policies, misuse of company resources, and inappropriate behavior.
• Substance Abuse and Safety Violations: We investigate incidents where employees are suspected of substance abuse in the workplace or engaging in activities that violate workplace safety standards.
• Cyber Misconduct: Our team investigates employee-related cybersecurity breaches, including unauthorized access, data breaches, or misuse of company technology.

Regardless of the type of employee misconduct suspected, our team can help you quickly investigate the issue and address any misconduct uncovered during the investigation.

Our Expertise and Experience in Investigating Employee Misconduct

Our team of investigators is highly experienced in handling complex and sensitive cases of employee misconduct. Our qualifications include:

• Trained and Certified: Our investigators have the training and certifications to apply the latest best practices in identifying fraudulent activities and recovering stolen assets.
• Digital Forensics Experts: We utilize advanced forensic tools and techniques to analyze electronic communications, recover deleted data, and uncover digital evidence of misconduct.
• Human Resources and Legal Expertise: We work closely with HR departments and legal counsel to ensure that investigations are conducted in accordance with internal policies, labor laws, and regulatory requirements.
• Discreet and Confidential Investigations: We handle every case with the utmost discretion and sensitivity, ensuring minimal disruption to your business and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.
• Experience Across Industries: Our investigators have experience working with businesses across various industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and retail, allowing us to adapt to the unique challenges of each case.

Regardless of the nature of the investigation, our team of certified and experienced experts enables your team to quickly and discreetly identify employee misconduct and take action to address it.

Our Process for Investigating Suspected Employee Misconduct

When you suspect employee misconduct, time is of the essence. At Forensic Discovery, our investigation process is designed to quickly uncover the facts while ensuring that all findings are legally defensible and compliant with company policies. Here’s how we approach a typical investigation:

• Initial Consultation: We begin by meeting with your leadership, HR, or legal team to understand the details of the suspected misconduct, including the type of misconduct, potential evidence, and any internal policies involved.
• Preliminary Assessment: Based on the initial consultation, we conduct a preliminary assessment of the situation to determine the scope of the investigation, identify potential sources of evidence, and develop an investigation plan.
• Data Collection & Evidence Preservation: We gather relevant information and evidence, including emails, computer logs, surveillance footage, financial records, and witness statements. Our digital forensics experts use specialized tools to recover deleted files, analyze electronic communications, and preserve digital evidence in a forensically sound manner.
• Forensic and Behavioral Analysis: We analyze the collected evidence to identify patterns of misconduct or fraudulent behavior. This may include reviewing financial transactions, reconstructing email conversations, or analyzing computer activity logs.
• Interviews & Fact-Finding: We conduct interviews with key personnel, witnesses, and (when appropriate) the employee(s) involved, ensuring that all relevant information is collected while maintaining impartiality.
• Reporting and Recommendations: After the investigation is complete, we provide a detailed report outlining our findings, evidence collected, and any recommendations for next steps. This may include disciplinary actions, legal actions, or policy changes.

Throughout the process, we work closely with your legal and HR teams to ensure that the investigation adheres to legal standards and organizational policies, minimizing the risk of litigation or regulatory non-compliance.

Benefits of Outsourcing Your Employee Misconduct Investigations

Outsourcing to a professional team like Forensic Discovery provides several advantages for your organization in employee misconduct investigations:

• Objective and Unbiased Investigation: Internal investigations can sometimes be influenced by relationships or internal politics. By outsourcing to an independent third party, you ensure an impartial and unbiased investigation, which is essential for maintaining fairness and transparency.
• Specialized Expertise: Our investigators bring years of experience and expertise in digital forensics, fraud detection, and HR-related investigations. This specialized knowledge ensures that no critical evidence is overlooked and that the investigation is thorough and accurate.
• Legal Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Our investigations are conducted in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, reducing the risk of wrongful termination claims, employee lawsuits, or other legal issues.
• Discreet and Confidential: Conducting an internal investigation can sometimes draw unwanted attention and disrupt the workplace. Our team operates discreetly to minimize disruption and maintain the confidentiality of the investigation.
• Faster Resolutions: Our dedicated investigative team can quickly respond to suspected misconduct, helping you resolve issues before they escalate and protecting your business from further harm.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Outsourcing investigations is often more cost-effective than allocating internal resources or legal teams to conduct a complex and time-consuming investigation.