Complaint Reinvestigation
I work for a small local government in W.A. I am the HR Manager. Late last year I took a photo of two broomsticks leaned up against a wall and emailed it around the office with the title “double parking” stupid I know but not intended to offend.
A male employee made a complaint to the CEO which was investigated by an external party. I was interviewed, admitted my crime and was subsequently issued with a written warning.
Today I received this email from the CEO
“I have been contacted by the Shire President, who has requested I coordinate arrangements for an interview with you by an independent investigator assigned by WALGA. Your interview is at 11.30am this Friday, 1 June 2018, at the Council Chamber - please attend this interview.
I am not privy to any other specifics on this matter, however, I presume the matter involves the previous complaint in relation to a minor in the workplace. On the presumption that this is the matter being investigated, this would explain why I am being kept external / independent of the administration of this matter and am not privy to any details.”
Would appreciate views on this... double jeopardy? Procedural fairness? How can the CEO’s decision be overridden by a council member? governance/administration segregation? What would you do. I have been in HR for a long time but never experienced anything like this before.
Thanks in anticipation,
Bob