IS YOUR ORGANIZATION INVESTIGATION-READY?
Workplace Investigation Readiness Checklist · Ontario
Is your organization investigation-ready?
5 min
Free Ontario workplace investigation readiness checklist — six phases, 25 checkpoints across policy, documentation, and process before a complaint lands.
What's inside
Six phases. Twenty-five checkpoints. One defensible process.
Phase 01
Initial Complaint Assessment
- ·Document complaint in writing
- ·Identify complaint type (harassment, discrimination, safety)
- ·Assess urgency and interim measures
Phase 02
Legal Obligation Check
- ·OHSA s.32.0.7 harassment duty
- ·Human Rights Code obligations
- ·Policy obligations beyond statutory minimums
Phase 03
Investigator Selection
- ·Internal vs. external criteria
- ·Conflict of interest screening
- ·Engagement terms of reference
Phase 04
Investigation Planning
- ·Define scope and allegations
- ·Identify witnesses and evidence
- ·Establish 30–90 day timeline
Phase 05
During the Investigation
- ·Conduct interviews with proper notice
- ·Maintain procedural fairness
- ·Document all evidence thoroughly
Phase 06
Post-Investigation
- ·Written report with findings
- ·Communicate outcomes to parties
- ·Policy review and document retention
Why this matters
Most employers fail before the first interview.
Poorly scoped investigations create human-rights exposure, procedural-fairness claims, and downstream remediation costs. The checklist closes the gaps before a complaint lands.
72
hrsMax response window
25
+Compliance checkpoints
6
Critical phases
What you'll learn
Be ready before the call.
- 01The six phases every defensible investigation moves through
- 02Where most employers create procedural-fairness exposure
- 03How to scope investigator selection before a complaint lands
- 04Documentation standards that hold up on legal review
Want expert guidance?
The checklist shows what to do. We do it with you.
From complaint intake through report and remediation — independent, OHSA-compliant, defensible.