In a business environment, employers, employees, and other players that participate in the organizational setting are guided by certain rules and codes of conduct. It is expected that every key player and those in positions of power within a business need to ensure a fair and equitable work environment for everyone else.
The Kansas Department of Labor provides guidance documents and directives for human resources personnel that define ethical conduct and highlight inappropriate behaviors. State workplace laws and requirements also help to ensure a fair business environment and enable employers to be held accountable for violations they participate in or even the ones they are privy to.
These laws ensure that employees receive a fair treatment in the workplace and also ensure that everyone in the organization is answerable for his or her actions.
How Does an Ethics Investigation Work?
When employer rules of conduct are violated, ethics investigation can arise. For example, when employees file claims of sexual harassment or report any form of financial misappropriation, an investigation into these facts will take place.
Depending on the situation surrounding the case, federal or state laws may provide protection to the complainant during this time. For example, Kansas Acts Against Discrimination statutes provide protection against retaliation for employees who have been discriminated against, as well as for key players who choose to participate as witnesses in investigations.
Ethics investigations do not only ensure that reparations are settled and paid to the affected parties, they could also be important to help an employer take corrective action within the organization.
Ethics Investigation for Employee Misconduct
Since employers are not the only participants in a business environment, other people who function in an organizational setting might be guilty of misconduct too. Employees can also go against the ethical guidelines of an organization; this can vary from financial misappropriation, theft, and embezzlement, which would subject the party to charges under the Kansas Criminal Code, to sexual harassment of subordinates or discrimination of any kind.
When these unfortunate practices are found to be present in an organization, it is important that the employer reports the case and calls for an ethics investigation. This type of internal investigation does not only help preserve the work environment and maintain employee confidence and morale in the organization, it also helps protect the employer from legal liabilities that may arise from such situations in the future.
When organizations deal with the allegation of misconducts quickly and efficiently, it helps save their reputation and ensures staff compliance with the ethical conduct guiding the work environment.
Why You Need an Attorney
When issues of ethical misconduct arise, you do not want to take the law into your own hands by trespassing or tampering with evidence. It is important that the investigation is carried out in compliance with both state and federal laws.
It is therefore important to get an attorney to help with the case. Ideally, these situations should be conducted by an outside attorney, especially when it is an employee who wants to file a complaint against an employer.
If you are involved in an ethics investigation either as the complainant or volunteer participant and you are unlawfully retaliated against, it is best to get an attorney to help get you out of the situation.
Contact a Skilled Employment Lawyer in Kansas City Today
If you suspect your employer is engaged in ethical violations and retaliated against you for reporting the violations, take action and contact HKM Employment Attorneys today. Our legal team is experienced in Kansas City employment law.
Call 816-607-4691, schedule a call, or fill out this form and we will get back to you ASAP.