Harassment and discrimination in the workplace

The #MeToo movement has empowered more people to come forward and challenge sexual harassment and discrimination. Huge societal change is underway, and victims are increasingly empowered to pursue complaints against individuals and organisations.

Facing up to their responsibilities, companies are re-examining employee complaints and workplace policies. A costly and embarrassing harassment allegation can destroy an executive and potentially the firm they work for.

How a private investigator can help your business

Hiring our UK private detectives to conduct a background check on present and future employees makes ethical and financial sense for business. We’re already seeing a big increase in this type of commission at our London private investigator offices.

Allegations of predatory behaviour have bankrupted companies and forced scores of people out of their positions. Some practical prevention steps can ward off the threat of a potential freefall in share price and the risk of huge legal and PR costs.

Comprehensive due diligence is more important than ever

Increasingly, companies are turning to private investigators to probe historic complaints and to carry out due diligence on prospective employees and corporate acquisitions.

We can profile the background of potential executives and board members to identify potential issues before they are raised. But also, a private investigator can help clear the names of individuals accused of sexual misconduct and restore their credibility before any damaging details leak.

The numbers of people who have had their careers destroyed by ill-advised social media activity continues to increase. Often the postings that bring them down were made many years ago or in private discussions but having an investigator vet the internet history of a key appointment really can avoid embarrassment further down the line.

How we work

Typically, an investigator will begin by searching social media activity, internet databases and publicly available information before delving deeper. Developing sources, tapping into law enforcement intelligence, employment history and private lives is the next step, as is interviewing neighbours, friends, former colleagues, ex-partners and spouses to further identify risk factors.

Increasingly, firms are walking away from deals and from hiring individuals because of pre-screening undertaken by investigators. Had the organisation in question signed up, the consequences in some cases could have been devastating.