The Challenge

A senior leader submitted a formal grievance to the Chief Executive and Head of People covering three main issues:

  • Exclusion and Systematic Erosion of their Role and Responsibilities.
  • Persistent Negative Conduct and Bullying.
  • Being Unfairly Positioned as Solely Responsible for the non-delivery of the Business Strategy.

Because senior personnel were potentially implicated, the organisation appointed TIAA as an external investigator to ensure full impartiality.

The objectives of the project were:

We assessed, on the balance of probabilities, whether the allegations occurred as described and whether they amounted to:

  • A breach of internal policies.
  • Behaviour inconsistent with expected standards of professional conduct.
  • Conduct capable of undermining the implied term of mutual trust and confidence.

We also looked at any systemic, procedural or managerial factors that may have contributed, applying the organisation’s Grievance Policy throughout.

Approach

The investigation followed a structured process, including:

  • Reviewing the grievance and supporting documents.
  • Examining policies, emails, meeting notes, organisational charts and internal communications.
  • Interviewing the complainant, respondent(s) and relevant witnesses, with opportunities for each to respond to the evidence.
  • Assessing the evidence on the balance of probabilities and drafting findings and recommendations.
Conclusion and outcomes

The grievance was partly substantiated. We found governance and procedural failings, but no evidence of bullying, harassment, deliberate undermining or misconduct by any Executive Team member. Executive challenge was robust but within the bounds of legitimate organisational scrutiny.