During the course of an investigation there comes a point where you must ensure that the person subject of a complaint is afforded procedural fairness.

Failure to afford an employee Procedural Fairness can result in;

• Successful unfair dismissal action by terminated employees at the Fair Work Commission
• Orders for compensation against the employer
• Orders for reinstatement of the terminated employee
• Negative publicity and damage to brand image
• Negative impact on the business in general

General rules of Procedural Fairness – the rights of the employee   

The right to know the nature of the allegation/complaint against them in cases of behaviour issues

The right to know is referenced in the Fair Work Act 2009 – s387 – Criteria for considering harshness etc.

In considering whether it is satisfied that a dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, the FWC must take into account;
(b) whether the person was notified of that reason

The right to respond to the allegation/complaint or performance issue

The right be heard or to respond to an allegation/complaint or performance issue is referenced in the Fair Work Act 2009 – s387 – Criteria for considering harshness etc.

In considering whether it is satisfied that a dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, the FWC must take into account:
(c) Whether the person was given an opportunity to respond to any reason related to the capacity or conduct of the person

The excerpt above is from the AWPTI Procedural fairness manual – http://awpti.com.au/procedural-fairness-manual/

Important questions are:
Q1. How do you advise the person subject of a complaint what the allegations are?
Q2. What information do you need to provide?

A1. You can advise the person verbally or in writing, (includes via email)

I always recommend providing the allegations in writing, why?

1. You are able to clearly outline the allegations, verbal allegations can be poorly expressed and/or misunderstood and may be subject to argument at a later date
2. The person subject of the complaint has the letter or email to refer to when formulating their response.  Full details of a verbal allegation can be forgotten, was the person fully listening at the time, how would you be able to tell?
3. There can be no argument as to the nature of the allegation. A respondent can dispute the content of a verbal allegation, how can you prove it?
4. providing verbal allegation only could be considered by the Fair Work Commission as poor process
5. Using verbal allegations can lead to complaints of a lack of procedural fairness

In the case of Mr Michael Fitzpatrick v Bunnings Group Ltd T/A Bunnings

The commissioner found (at 85)
In addition to not providing Mr Fitzpatrick with the basis of the allegation, in a written form, the Commission was not provided with a written record of the disciplinary investigation. The Commission was not provided with a written record of what actions were taken against Mr Fitzpatrick or provided with an adequate written record of the reasons why he was dismissed for serious misconduct. The only evidence provided to the Commission was a very abridged record of a disciplinary discussion/meeting on 2 October 2013 at the time of Mr Fitzpatrick’s dismissal

and at (91)
the Employer should have reduced to writing the allegations regarding Mr Fitzpatrick’s conduct which could lead to his dismissal. This would have enabled Mr Fitzpatrick to respond to the specific allegations and supporting evidence, rather than Mr Vitler and Mr Cherry making a choice regarding the “facts” based on the initial statement

The commission found in favour of Mr Fitzpatrick
Link to case here – Fitzpatrick v Bunnings Group Ltd T/A Bunnings

A2. What information do you need to provide?

If you are going to take the sensible (in my opinion) course it is important that your letter of allegation is complete and contains carefully worded allegations.  For full details of the content of a letter and the construction of allegations please see the AWPTI Procedural fairness manual – http://awpti.com.au/procedural-fairness-manual/

Your allegations must contain enough information to allow the person subject of the complaint to respond, ideally including the time, date and place where the behaviour or misconduct took place.  The actual behaviour subject of the allegation, The person/s subject of the behaviour (victim) and what policy the behaviour breached.

AWPTI can assist to take the headache of workplace investigations from you.  When we undertake an investigation we draft and provide to you all the letters to parties including comprehensive and legally compliant letters of allegation.

Should you wish to do it yourself we have a comprehensive Investigation Document Toolbox available at – http://awpti.com.au/investigation-toolbox/ and other products to assist HR professional and managers at – http://awpti.com.au/hr-products/

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