David Scott

disciplinary-investigation-notes

Carrying Out a Disciplinary Investigation: Guidance For Employers

As an employer, you may feel it necessary to carry out disciplinary procedures, but before this can happen a disciplinary investigation is required. Organisations may have their own disciplinary procedures in place to ensure an investigation is conducted fairly, but the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures sets out the minimum an …

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importance-of-ethics-in-business-environment

Why Are Ethics Important in Business?

What are business ethics? Happily, most of us behave ethically in our social lives – for instance, we know to treat others with respect and show them support. But why are ethics important in business? In today’s competitive and fast-paced business world, ethics should be at the forefront of every successful organisation. So what exactly …

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workplace-sexual-discrimination

Sex Discrimination in the Workplace – A Guide For Employers

Sex discrimination in the workplace is a widespread issue that continues to affect individuals across various industries, creating a hostile and unequal working environment. Defined as the unfair treatment of an individual or a group based on their sex, this form of discrimination significantly hampers equality, respect, and professional growth. However, employers play a crucial …

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Can HR maintain positive employee relations and be the handmaiden of management, and the employee’s best friend?

HR employee relations – best of frenemies?

HR employee relations in organisations “Well that didn’t go well.  I thought HR was supposed to be on my side”. I’m in HR, and I have been for a long time.  If I had £1 for every shocked and hurt reaction from an employee after an interview with me, I’d just about break even. Reason …

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Diversity Challenges in the Workplace: Planning for culture change or sleepwalking into the unknown?

Explanation of diversity challenges in the workplace Diversity in the workplace has become a critical issue in recent years. With globalisation and increased migration, workplaces are becoming more diverse. However, diversity doesn’t come without its challenges. The workplace is often plagued by language barriers, misunderstandings, prejudice, and cultural misunderstandings. These challenges can create hostility, which …

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The NHS bullying culture – when will it end?

The cost of bullying to the NHS Back in 2019, a study estimated that the cost of bullying and harassment to NHS England is around £2.3 billion per annum. This staggering cost is deemed to be the aggregate of costs to employers of: increased staff sickness, employee turnover, reduced productivity, compensation, litigation and more difficult …

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Patient safety training ready to take off after HSIB launch

What is a crisis management plan and how is it created?

Crisis Management Planning Planning for a crisis is important for any organisation because it can happen at any time and have a significant impact on operations, reputation, and bottom line. A crisis management plan is not a guarantee that an organisation will avoid a crisis, but it can help the organisation to respond more effectively …

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How to manage the impact of whistleblowing investigations

Whistleblowing investigations Whistleblowing is the act of a person who reports unethical or unlawful activities within an organisation and can be fundamental to driving changes and improvements. Managing whistleblowing complaints requires an investigation to be carried out and corrective action implemented. Resolving issues quickly and appropriately helps to manage risk and provides assurance to the whistleblower …

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Investigating workplace misconduct – tales from the Jockey Club

Investigating workplace misconduct – how to get it right When investigating workplace misconduct, how can organisations make sure they get it right? It is not enough for management simply to state that the allegations have been dealt with, and to hope that this will be enough to reassure staff that they have been taken seriously. Allegations …

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The truth behind investigation backlogs

An interview with Chris Brougham During the Coronavirus pandemic frontline care and services have rightly taken priority. Organisations have focused on patient care and less on the day to day governance tasks such as patient safety incident investigations. Now that infection rates are dropping, services have started to turn their focus back to the back-office …

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Whistleblowing – An Oxfam Safeguarding Example

In July 2011 a whistleblower sent written allegations to Oxfam’s GB leadership. Following the earthquake in Haiti, the charity was significantly engaged in humanitarian emergency relief work, with some 550 staff in the country. The allegations were principally that Oxfam staff had been having sex with prostitutes, some of whom may have been minors, including …

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