Integrity
Processes
When integrity concerns are raised, the way you respond matters as much as what happened.
When issues arise — a conflict of interest emerges, confidential information is mishandled, or a previous process is called into question — we step in to conduct an independent integrity investigation or review. We conduct these processes for employers and public agencies that need clear answers about what happened and what to do next.
● Who we work with
Built for organisations that are
publicly accountable
Public agencies, Crown entities, and employers with obligations to stakeholders, or the public face particular pressure when integrity issues arise. The stakes are higher, and the cost of getting it wrong can be significant.
We understand these pressures. Our integrity processes are conducted with discretion, rigour, and a clear focus on what the organisation needs to move forward.
● Our integrity processes
Types of integrity processes
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Sometimes the core concern is about how a previous process was handled. For example, how a decision was made, how a policy process was handled, or how a complaint was managed internally. If the fairness or procedural soundness of a process is being questioned, an independent review provides clarity. We assess whether the process followed was consistent with the organisation's obligations, relevant policies, and good practice. If relevant, we will identify where things went wrong and why.
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Sometimes an employee, contractor or supplier's personal interests (financial, relational, or otherwise) may have influenced their professional decisions. The organisation then needs to understand what happened and whether obligations were met. We independently investigate alleged conflicts of interest. We examine the facts, the applicable obligations, whether appropriate disclosures were made and management steps were taken. Our findings give employers and agencies a clear picture of what occurred and a firm basis for next steps.
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The unauthorised disclosure of personal or confidential information can have serious consequences — for both individuals and organisations. When a breach occurs or is alleged, a prompt and independent review is often essential. We investigate privacy and confidentiality breaches methodically. We establish what information was disclosed, to whom, how, and whether obligations under relevant policies or legislation were met. We work efficiently to minimise further risk and provide findings that can support any required notifications or remedial action.
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A fact-finding review allows us to gather and assess information about a specific incident, and set out clearly what happened. There are no breach findings and no disciplinary recommendations — instead we produce a factual record that can inform the organisation's next steps. That may involve taking further action, closing the matter, or taking steps to manage risk.
● FAQs
Common questions
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An integrity process is an independent assessment (it can be an investigation or review, depending on what suits best) that helps organisations address concerns relating to ethics or governance. Commonly, this includes conflicts of interest, privacy, confidentiality, fraud or process failures. It provides an objective assessment of the situation and helps organisations determine appropriate next steps.
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Sometimes an employee, contractor or supplier's personal interests (financial, relational, or otherwise) may have influenced their professional decisions. The organisation then needs to understand what happened and whether obligations were met. We examine the facts, the applicable obligations and policy requirements, whether appropriate disclosures were made and what management steps were taken. Our findings give organisations and agencies a clear picture of what has occurred and a firm basis for next steps.
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An integrity review provides a broader assessment of organisational practices, governance, and conduct to identify risks and recommendations. Integrity concerns arise in several ways - they may have been raised by a protected disclosure, a supplier, a former employee or by the organisation itself.
In contrast, a typical workplace investigation is assesses an employee’s conduct allegations against another employee. It examines those specific allegations or incidents to establish the facts and determine policy breaches. -
Privacy and confidentiality concerns are assessed by reviewing the circumstances of the incident, relevant policies, wider legal obligations (for example the Privacy Act principles) and the impact on those involved. An independent assessment helps organisations understand what occurred, identify any risks, confirm they have taken the appropriate steps and recommend any additional steps to improve processes and reduce the likelihood of future breaches.
Not sure what to do next?
That’s where we come in.
● Our Expertise
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At Woven, we specialise in conducting independent, impartial and efficient workplace investigations. We appreciate that the investigation’s integrity depends on the quality of the information we gather and our adherence to a fair process. We are adept at communicating the process, gaining trust and interviewing participants to obtain relevant information. We present our findings to you in a clear and succinct manner. We get you the information you need to take the next steps.
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Our independent workplace reviews can help you identify and address any issues within a team or workplace early on. When something doesn’t seem right – where there is increased turnover, low employee survey results, high sick leave or informal concerns being raised - we take a deep dive. Our review process identifies what is working well, what is not and what can be done better. We build a rapport with your people to ensure they feel comfortable to share issues that are impacting them at work. We recommend practical steps to address any issues identified . These recommendations enable you to make real improvements to ensure your people are working positively and collaboratively within a safe and supportive working environment.
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Woven provides tailored investigation training to internal teams. We share the insights we have gained through hundreds of investigation processes. We outline:
investigation best practice,
how to navigate the potential pitfalls that can inevitably arise; and
how to assess evidence and make robust findings.