Why Is a Return to Work Audit essential as rules are relaxed?

by Adrian ClarkOct 9, 2021View All, WH&S

Workplace investigations are a vital part of maintaining the integrity and fairness of any organisation. When issues arise, it’s important for businesses to act quickly, ensuring that they address concerns in a transparent and lawful manner. Different types of investigations are needed for different situations, each requiring a tailored approach to ensure fair outcomes for all involved. Below are some of the most common types of workplace investigations and when they should be used.

Misconduct Investigations
Misconduct investigations are necessary when an employee breaches company policies or behaves inappropriately. This might include theft, dishonesty, substance abuse in the workplace, or breaches of confidentiality. Misconduct can also cover actions that damage the company’s reputation or relationships with clients. It’s important to act quickly when dealing with misconduct to maintain workplace standards and protect the business from potential legal liabilities.

Harassment and Bullying Investigations
Investigations into harassment and bullying are crucial when employees report or experience inappropriate behaviour. Whether the issue is sexual harassment, racial harassment, or bullying, businesses have a duty to investigate and take action. These investigations must be handled with care, ensuring that both the complainant and the accused are treated fairly, and that the process remains confidential. Addressing such issues promptly not only protects employee wellbeing but also helps to maintain a respectful workplace culture.

Discrimination Investigations
Discrimination investigations come into play when employees feel they’ve been treated unfairly due to attributes such as race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. These cases can be complex and require careful handling to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws in Australia. A thorough investigation is essential to ensure that all claims are properly examined, protecting the organisation from legal action and fostering an inclusive workplace.

Health and Safety Investigations
When a workplace incident or a near-miss occurs, a health and safety investigation is needed. These investigations help to determine whether existing safety measures were followed and if further action is required to prevent future incidents. Compliance with workplace health and safety laws is essential in Australia, and these investigations ensure that businesses fulfil their obligations to protect their employees.

Workplace Culture Investigations
In some cases, broader concerns about workplace culture may require investigation. This can occur when there are ongoing issues affecting morale, such as repeated complaints about management or widespread dissatisfaction among staff. A culture investigation looks at systemic issues within the workplace and seeks to identify patterns that may be harming the work environment. These investigations provide valuable insights for leadership teams to implement lasting positive change.

How AHR Can Assist with Workplace Investigations
Conducting a workplace investigation requires impartiality, expertise, and a thorough understanding of Australian workplace laws. At Assurance HR (AHR), we specialise in handling workplace investigations with a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality. Whether you’re facing allegations of misconduct, bullying, discrimination, or safety breaches, AHR has the expertise to guide your organisation through the investigation process.

Our team works with you to ensure that every step of the investigation is conducted lawfully and fairly. We help gather evidence, interview witnesses, and provide detailed reports on our findings, making sure you have all the information needed to resolve the issue. By choosing AHR, you can focus on your business while we take care of the complexities involved in workplace investigations, ensuring you remain compliant and maintain a positive work environment. Let AHR be your trusted partner in managing workplace investigations with confidence and care.

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As businesses start to relax after COVID-19 restrictions and employees return to work, businesses need to conduct thorough return to work audits.

Like it or not, things are going to be different after COVID-19 for businesses, employees, and customers across Australia. Until we have an effective immunization or vaccination program in place, businesses will need to reevaluate their processes and procedures.

The easiest way to understand how COVID-19 restrictions will affect your business is through a thorough Return To Work Audit. We already understand the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing and practicing effective basic hygiene, but is your business setup capable of handling these changes?

A thorough Return To Work audit of your business will help you to identify and assess how ready your employees are to return to work, how your business handles customer interaction, and any changes you’ll need to make. You’ll also be able to put in place Return To Work protocols, and procedures on what to do if or when someone gets sick.

What should your Return To Work audit focus on?

Your Return To Work audit should focus on the following factors:

What procedures or physical barriers have you put in place for minimizing the interaction between customers entering the business and your staff?
What changes do you need to make to minimize contact between employees?
Are their adequate handwashing stations in place, and do employees have a basic hygiene procedure to follow?
What are the protocols for an employee that is sick or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms?
If there is an outbreak of sickness, what are the procedures put in place to track employees?
Do you have through disinfection or sanitization procedures in place for high traffic areas, like counters, handrails, toilets, kitchens, or break rooms?

Any new protocols need to be written down and clearly articulated to all team members. If they affect your customers as well it’s important to display them clearly where members of the public have access, whether it’s on your front door, front counter, or desks.

Once you have a clearer picture of what’s happening, what needs to be changed or implemented, and what you should do if the worst happens and someone gets sick, your business will be better prepared to face the upcoming challenges.

Need help preparing a Return To Work audit? Contact us today! Call us any time on 1800 577 515, or schedule an appointment at https://calendly.com/adrian-ahr/30min