Workplace accusations

The unpleasantness of being accused

If someone has complained about you, your employer has an obligation to investigate the allegations. You may find yourself placed on paid or unpaid administrative leave while the matter is explored. Larger employers may have large enough human resource teams that they can manage an investigation without going outside the organization. Other employers may hire an outside investigator, someone who is professionally trained to parse out grains of truth from exaggeration or outright fabrication. However your employer handles assigning an investigator, you probably don't have a choice about whether to participate unless you want to resign, and that will probably not stop the investigation. Hang in there. It may be in your best interests to hire counsel experienced in workplace investigations. Hiring counsel won't halt the process, but it will help you understand best strategies. If you'd like to discuss a situation confidentially, please reach out.