Workplace Investigations

Beyond Compliance, towards Transformative Justice

Workplace misconduct isn’t just individual bad behavior—it’s often the predictable result of organizational systems that concentrate power, reward exploitation, and silence those who speak up. My approach examines misconduct through a structural lens while centering survivor experiences.

Drawing from transformative justice principles and critical organizational analysis, I help organizations move beyond punitive compliance models to address the root causes of workplace harm.

Ready to address misconduct at its systemic roots?
Contact me to discuss transformative approaches to workplace ethics.

The Problem with Compliance-Only Approaches

Traditional workplace investigation models often reproduce the same power dynamics that enabled misconduct in the first place. They focus on individual punishment rather than systemic transformation, frequently retraumatizing survivors while protecting institutional reputation.

These approaches fail to address:

Power imbalances that make misconduct possible
Organizational cultures that silence whistleblowers
Economic structures that create vulnerability to exploitation
Systemic patterns that go beyond individual incidents

Core Areas of Expertise

Workplace Investigation with Transformative Justice

Conducting investigations that center survivor agency while examining systemic factors that enabled harm. This includes trauma-informed interviewing, power analysis, and recommendations for structural change.

Misconduct Prevention Through Structural Analysis

Moving beyond “awareness training” to examine how organizational structures create conditions for misconduct. This includes power mapping, policy analysis, and culture transformation.

Connect with: Organizational Culture & Change for systemic intervention

Ethics Consulting with Critical Framework

Developing ethical frameworks that challenge rather than legitimize existing power structures. This means examining who benefits from current systems and how to create more equitable alternatives.

Related services: Training & Professional Development on ethical leadership

Abuse Prevention Through Community Accountability

Building community-centered accountability systems that address harm while supporting healing for all parties involved, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

Specialized approach: High-Control Group Recovery for understanding organizational abuse dynamics

My Approach: Justice Over Punishment

Following transformative justice principles, my misconduct work focuses on healing harm, preventing future incidents, and transforming systems rather than just punishing individuals.

Structural Analysis of Misconduct

Power mapping to understand how authority enables abuse
Economic analysis of how financial dependence creates vulnerability
Cultural assessment of norms that normalize harmful behavior
Historical examination of patterns and institutional responses

Survivor-Centered Investigation

Trauma-informed interviewing that doesn’t retraumatize
Survivor agency in determining investigation scope and outcomes
Intersectional analysis recognizing how multiple identities affect experiences
Confidentiality protection balanced with institutional accountability

Community-Centered Resolution

Restorative dialogue when appropriate and survivor-initiated
Systemic recommendations addressing organizational factors
Community healing processes for those affected by misconduct
Accountability mechanisms ensuring follow-through on changes

Specialized Areas of Focus

Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence

Understanding how patriarchal power structures create conditions for sexual harassment and violence, particularly in male-dominated organizations.

Related expertise: LGBTQ+ Issues & Inclusion for understanding intersection of sexual and gender-based harassment

Racial and Ethnic Harassment

Addressing how white supremacy culture manifests in workplace misconduct, including both overt discrimination and subtle microaggressions that create hostile environments.

Connect with: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for anti-oppression approaches

Economic Exploitation and Wage Theft

Recognizing economic abuse as misconduct, including wage theft, benefit denial, and creating financial dependence to prevent workers from leaving exploitative situations.

Related work: Labor Rights & Ethics for worker protection

Faith-Based Organization Misconduct

Addressing misconduct in religious contexts where spiritual authority is used to enable abuse and silence survivors through shame and theological manipulation.

Specialized services: Faith-Based Consulting and Religious Trauma Recovery

Working with Organizations

I work with organizations committed to genuine transformation rather than just legal compliance or reputation management.

Mission-Driven Organizations

Nonprofits, educational institutions, and faith communities whose stated values conflict with their handling of misconduct, seeking alignment between values and practices.

Worker-Owned Enterprises

Cooperatives and democratic organizations building alternative structures while ensuring accountability mechanisms prevent abuse of collective power.

Unionized Workplaces

Labor organizations seeking to address misconduct while maintaining solidarity and ensuring union leadership doesn’t become another site of abuse.

Additional support through Mediation & Conflict Resolution for organizational conflicts

Investigation Methodology

My investigation approach differs significantly from traditional HR models:

Pre-Investigation Assessment

Survivor consultation about preferred investigation process
Safety planning for all parties involved
Power analysis to understand systemic factors
Resource assessment for supporting those affected

Investigation Process

Trauma-informed interviewing techniques
Cultural competency addressing identity-based factors
Document analysis for patterns and institutional responses
Witness support preventing retaliation and intimidation

Post-Investigation Action

Systemic recommendations addressing root causes
Implementation support ensuring changes are made
Follow-up assessment monitoring for retaliation and effectiveness
Community healing processes when appropriate

Training and Prevention Focus

My misconduct prevention training addresses systemic factors rather than just individual behavior:

Power and Privilege Analysis

Understanding how social identities affect workplace experiences
Recognizing unconscious bias and its organizational impacts
Analyzing intersectionality in workplace dynamics
Developing critical consciousness about systemic oppression

Organizational Culture Transformation

Bystander intervention strategies that address power dynamics
Conflict transformation skills for addressing harm early
Leadership accountability for creating ethical cultures
Community care practices that prevent exploitation

Training delivery through: Training & Professional Development

Research and Evidence Base

My approach draws from transformative justice, critical criminology, and organizational sociology rather than just traditional HR and legal frameworks.

Key frameworks include:

Transformative justice principles for addressing harm without reproducing it
Critical race theory understanding how racism operates institutionally
Feminist organizational theory analyzing gendered power dynamics
Labor studies recognizing economic factors in workplace exploitation

Research support available: Research & Program Support for studying misconduct patterns

Investment in Transformation

Addressing workplace misconduct systemically requires sustained commitment to changing organizational culture, not just policy updates.

Engagement options include:

Comprehensive misconduct investigation with systemic analysis
Organizational culture assessment and transformation planning
Leadership coaching for developing ethical consciousness
Training programs for building prevention capacity

Crisis intervention available: Coaching Services for supporting those affected by misconduct

Resources for Continued Learning

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Next Steps

If your organization is ready to move beyond compliance theater toward genuine ethical transformation, let’s discuss how we can work together.

Schedule a consultation to explore justice-centered approaches to workplace misconduct.

For immediate crisis support following workplace misconduct, contact me directly.

Ready to build justice into your organizational systems?
Let’s begin the transformation →