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If you’re running a business in Australia, then you have probably experienced this moment before. Finances aren’t lining up right. Inventory is disappearing left and right. One of your employees claims he’s sick every Friday, but then posts pictures of himself on vacation on Instagram. Can you legally employ somebody to solve this problem?
Yes, you can. Companies around Australia do this all the time.
What Kind of Workplace Issues Get Investigated
This happens more often than you might expect. It includes theft by employees, tampering with timesheets, invalid workers’ compensation claims, leaking of trade secrets, breach of non-compete clauses, and absenteeism by employees which is at odds with what they have reported to Human Resources. At times it is just a single individual, but at other times it is part of a larger pattern, which has already been costing the company tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The majority of entrepreneurs prefer to deal with such issues within their organization first. Naturally, this appears to be a more affordable approach. However, most of the time, they are not professional investigators, and if the case is brought before Fair Work, the evidence that has been collected improperly will soon turn out to be worthless. This is where businesses call licensed investigators.
Why Use a Licensed Investigator Instead of Doing It Yourself
The licensed detective knows the limits of the legal process. He or she can do the investigation, research public records, and prepare the report, but cannot do anything like hacking the phone of an individual, going on any property without permission, or bugging the individual’s place. This is very important to keep in mind because any evidence obtained illegally will be thrown out and the detective agency itself can run into legal issues.
Then there is the skill aspect. It requires time to learn how to conduct covert investigations, how to write the report, and what things are admissible as evidence.
What the Process Usually Looks Like
All cases begin with a private discussion to determine what is happening and what the company needs to prove. The investigator may then conduct background checks, conduct surveillance, or covertly collect information during a prearranged time period. All of this is compiled in a report that the company can submit to their HR department, lawyer, or to Fair Work if necessary.
The timeframe for the investigation process will be very varied. Cases may conclude within a week or two, while others, such as those involving a ring of fraud or a thief who has been stealing for a prolonged time, may take longer.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Costs for hiring private investigators in Australia generally start around $120 an hour plus travel, and that can feel like a lot upfront. But weigh that against what ongoing fraud or theft is actually costing the business, not to mention the stress of not knowing what’s really going on. Most business owners who’ve been through it will tell you the peace of mind alone made it worthwhile, before you even factor in the money recovered or the legal case it helped build.
The Bottom Line
Yes, businesses can hire private investigators to carry out investigations regarding misconduct and fraud in their workplace, much more frequently than most people think. The important thing is to go with someone who has a license, experience, and is straightforward about what he or she is able to accomplish legally. If there is something that seems to be wrong in your place of work, the only way to know the truth may be to conduct an appropriate investigation.
Written by Rob Jones, Senior Investigator at Spouse Busters. Rob has worked on infidelity, surveillance and locate cases across Australia, and the Spouse Busters team has been helping people find the truth since 2005. Licensed under GORA Investigations Pty Ltd, NSW Master Licence 412080174.
