Get a workplace investigation pack for complaints, misconduct and process issues

It is usually a good fit when an employer has moved beyond an informal concern and needs a more structured process. That might involve a complaint between staff members, alleged misconduct, performance issues with conflicting accounts, concerns about contractor behaviour, or a workplace risk issue that needs to be documented properly. The key issue is usually whether you need targeted drafting, process help or broader advice. If the matter may lead to disciplinary action or a defended dispute, getting the investigation steps right early can be important.

The service can include a consultation, an investigation plan, legal input on process, drafting or review of letters or other communications, guidance on evidence gathering, and support with an investigation report or report template. The exact mix depends on the issue you are dealing with and the material already in place. Some matters need help framing allegations and interview steps. Others need support documenting findings clearly. The practical working model can be just as important as the contract wording, especially where the people involved are not all standard employees.

Common risks include starting the process without clear allegations, failing to keep records, asking the wrong questions, overlooking relevant documents, or moving to an outcome before the facts have been tested properly. There can also be added complexity where the person involved is a contractor, director, casual worker or someone in a mixed role. The drafting should be matched to the commercial arrangement, the documents already in use and the facts around how the work is performed. Legal support We will make the key issues clear so you can decide what to do next.

It can, where classification questions affect how the investigation should be handled. For example, if the issue involves a contractor who works closely within your business, the practical relationship may matter as much as the written agreement when deciding what process is appropriate and what risks exist. That does not turn this into a full classification review in every case, but it does mean we can factor working arrangement issues into the investigation advice where relevant. If a deeper employment status review is needed, that may require separate work.

That depends on what the investigation finds and what decision the employer then needs to make. In some matters, the next step is internal action such as performance management, a disciplinary process, policy changes or closing the matter with no further action. In others, the findings may show that more evidence is needed or that the issue is wider than first thought. This service can help you get to that decision point with better structure and documentation, but any later dispute representation or ongoing management support would be separate.

Submit an enquiry on this page or click 'Get started'. One of our legal consultants will review it within 1 business day and get in touch to understand what you need.

Your consultant will then email you a fixed-fee quote setting out the cost, scope and timing. If you're happy with it, you can accept the quote and sign our engagement letter online.

Once you've accepted, one of our Australian-qualified lawyers will work with you to complete your project. They'll contact you by email or phone if they need anything.

Sprintlaw works on fixed-fee pricing wherever possible, so you can review the scope and cost before you decide whether to proceed. For the Workplace Investigation Pack service, pricing starts from $2,000.00.

After you enquire, a legal consultant will confirm what is included, the expected timing and whether any extra work is needed before you engage us.

We work online, so we can help wherever you are in New Zealand. Our team works remotely, mainly from Australia.

Your work is done by our Australian-qualified lawyers, who hold Australian practising certificates and specialise in business law. None of them are New Zealand lawyers or hold a New Zealand practising certificate.

Sprintlaw NZ Limited is a legal consultancy, not a law firm, and is not regulated by the New Zealand Law Society. We don't act in court or tribunal matters, conveyancing (including leases and business sales) or other reserved areas of work. Communications with Sprintlaw are unlikely to be protected by legal professional privilege. We still keep everything confidential under our engagement letter.