In the wake of the #MeToo movement, the way we conduct workplace investigations, especially those surrounding sexual harassment, is more important than ever before. According to the Third Annual Employee Relations Benchmark Study, which collects data from 158 companies, caseload volumes have increased due to rising harassment numbers.
With more claims coming in, and with over 30% of employee relations professionals juggling more than 26 employee issues at one time, it’s surprising that many companies continue to use manual processes like spreadsheets, document management systems or nothing at all to track data.
HR technology created for employee relations can help your organization approach investigations in a way that ensures fairness and effectiveness. Here are three ways the implementation of HR technology can greatly improve your investigative reports.
1. Saves Time and Money
Businesses big and small appreciate strategies that help them cut down on their spending, and employee relations software can do just that. Conducting objective investigations can mitigate the potential for legal and financial liabilities associated with workplace issues.
Our Investigation Interview Protocols Checklist will not only save time, but it will impartially guide your investigations.
By automating processes and storing data in a centralized location, ER professionals spend less time creating manual reports and chasing down information. According to our Benchmark Study, ER teams using the HR Acuity solution saw an increase in efficacy by 20%.
One of the ways HR case management software can improve efficacy is by offering standardized solutions.
Built-in investigation report templates, for example, allow your team to manage everyday issues quickly, freeing up time to focus on other tasks.
One of the most significant factors to consider when weighing how our technology can improve your overall process is the effect it has on workplace safety for both the staff and employees. The faster a harassment case is investigated and solved, the less time there is for someone to continue inappropriate behavior.
Are you curious how much money employee relations management software can save your organization? To measure the potential economic impact of HR Acuity’s solution on your organization, try our interactive ROI calculator for yourself.
2. Improves Communication
Not only does ER software save organizations time and money, but it also improves internal communication between staff and employees.
Investigations involve multiple people who need to be on the same page when it comes to relevant information and evidence. ER software, especially a platform designed specifically for employee relations and investigations, provides a single place where all investigations data can live. Here, you can document what the complainant, subject or witnesses is saying during the interviews.
This technology also allows you to easily share the evidence during handoffs between investigators and decision-makers in a way that preserves the confidentiality and security required for sensitive matters.
3. Builds Trust
When it comes to investigations, you must eliminate the potential for bias and inconsistencies. By creating a consistent method for investigating workplace issues, you build trust and demonstrate your company’s commitment to its employees. Organizations can do more in the way of making their employees feel unguarded in the workplace.
Our guide on conducting workplace investigations can ensure that each investigation is fair and appropriate.
In the HR Acuity Employee Experience Survey, which gathered information from more than 1,300 workers across a variety of industries, we discovered what employees want by way of improving company culture, building trust, reducing risk and enhancing their overall experience.
Currently, 15% of employees have “little” or “no” trust in their company. Having a standardized process in place ensures that you will handle employee issues fairly and efficiently, leading to impartial outcomes. It is not uncommon for employees to perceive HR as working towards an outcome that is most favorable for the company, which can skew their view of the investigation.
As we mentioned earlier, ready-to-use investigation report templates available through HR technology can help the interviewer to remain unbiased and keep the investigation on track. Our platform comes equipped with interview guides that lead investigators to ask the right people the right questions while remaining compliant.
Ready to see how HR Acuity can help your organization streamline its investigations process? Request a demo of our employee relations case management software.
