When a company finds itself lurching from crisis to crisis, rather than reactively scrabbling to rein in the consequences, there’s a lot to be said for hunting out the cause. Many employers remain oblivious to disastrous impacts of employee alcohol and drug abuse until the worst occurs.
The reality is that employees engaged in substance abuse pose a serious threat to their managers and co-workers—as well as the company at large—and every day that the problem is left unaddressed is a day lost to both the individual and the business. Resulting problems might include diminished performance or productivity, tardiness, absenteeism, runaway turnover, theft, compensation bills, and even physical danger to people and property.
While it might seem clear that the individual engaged in alcohol or drug abuse is at fault, allowing such conduct to fester can leave employers exposed to legal liability too, so a prompt workplace investigation is certainly the place to start. Culprits are likely to be covering their tracks, and substance abuse can be tricky to pin-point and document. This makes the surveillance and clue-finding skills of specialist corporate investigations services an ideal ally in this scenario. Better yet, a Corporate Culture Audit can help you stamp out the seeds of workplace misconduct before they sprout—but we’ll return to that momentarily.
Understanding the Complexities of Employee Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The impacts of drug and alcohol abuse are far reaching. So much so that, according to the data from the American Addiction Centers, the price tag lands at $740 billion annually in lost workplace productivity, healthcare expenses, and crime-related costs. The substances in question might be liquor, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications. The abuse in question may be taking place during work hours or off the clock. Crucially, understanding how to identify the point at which you can take action is a necessity in terms of liability.
Clearly outlining rules in regard to consuming such substances during working hours in the employee handbook offers a well-lit legal path to disciplinary procedures if an employee is caught in the act. However, such cases are not always so cut and dry. For example, discrimination against those suffering from alcoholism is prohibited in many states by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This makes it vital to document a direct breach of policy, an impact to work performance, or a demonstrable threat to workplace safety, rather than simply a suspicion of intoxication.
Similarly, an employee is entirely entitled to take correctly prescribed medication—but an employer’s right to act comes into play when that medication makes them drowsy while operating machinery or driving a company vehicle. That said, state and federal laws in relation to disabilities may limit the options of an employer in these scenarios, perhaps even obliging the company to facilitate safe medication use of said employee, so expert guidance is always advisable.
Of course, if an employee’s workplace drug abuse extends to illegal substances, there are far less protections in place that might limit a company’s options. Depending on the circumstances—and crucially on the company’s pre-defined policies—actions taken might span from written warning to termination. However, be aware that your choices may have a knock-on affect on contractual obligations to customers or insurance policies. It is also vital to be mindful of social responsibility and federal regulations in regard to reporting crimes and referring those in need to assistance.
When It Comes to Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Prevention is Better Than Cure
No CEO or manager can know every detail of what employees are doing at all hours. But, what they can do is enact evidence-based prevention interventions aimed at mitigating workplace substance abuse, while fostering an environment of support and prosperity.
A more proactive form of corporate investigation is ideal as a preventative measure, and this is the Corporate Culture Audit. This serves as a health-check for your business, identifying conduct, policies, and patterns of behavior that may be undermining the company’s goals and ideals. Periodic audits can be complemented with supervisor training and education programs for employees. In certain cases, workplace drug testing may also be deemed appropriate. Ultimately, whatever program is opted for, its success can only be measured through an intelligent monitoring protocol. If you would like to know more about the spectrum of corporate investigations services available in relation to drug and alcohol abuse—including specialist capacity ranging from surveillance to undercover operations—the team at Lauth Investigations is always on hand to advise. Learn more about the powerful rewards offered by Corporate Culture Audits, or get in touch today to discuss your unique investigative needs.
The many companies that make up the crest of the American economic wave invest every single day in developing cutting-edge technology, conducting groundbreaking research, and developing innovative intellectual property. With all that’s at stake for businesses and their many hard-working employees, the threat of trade secret theft should always be taken seriously. But what do you do if you suspect a theft of this nature, and how can you guard against them?
While there may not be fingerprints to find or stolen goods to track, intellectual property or corporate data theft still always leaves a trail of leads to follow. Corporate security and investigations specialists from Lauth Investigations provide expert assistance to organizations across a spectrum of scales and industries, helping them uncover the perpetrators behind trade secret thefts while building a solid case so that swift action can be taken. Here, we will explore what steps to follow when non-compete violations or IP thefts occur, and how to armor-plate your trade secrets in the future.
What to do When Suspicion Arises
Few things can induce panic on a similar scale within the corporate world. For businesses that suspect an employee or outsider may have stolen trade secrets, it can truly feel as if the clock has started ticking. Corporate data theft may throw sensitive information into the public sphere—damaging a company’s reputation in a split-second—or it may allow competitors how to gain a crippling advantage. When trade secrets are stolen or intentionally leaked by an employer, potential return on years spent investing can start to feel like a fading mirage. The key when suspicion arises is to move quickly, knowing that the right tactic may interrupt a crisis before it fully unfolds.
Turning to professional corporate investigation services when this kind of countdown begins will make the most of precious time. Seasoned investigators will immediately begin gathering information on any suspects, while working with you to identify vulnerabilities that may have exposed trade secrets to risk, and painting a picture of the circumstances driving any breach.
In the case of a non-compete violation, a disgruntled employee may have sought an opportunity for illegal gain, but equally, a competitor may have approached them with ill intentions. Alongside launching an in-depth investigation of internal events, a fully licensed corporate investigator will also be able to gather corporate intelligence, revealing the scope of the crime at hand.
Mitigating Damage When Trade Secrets are Stolen
When an employee gives notice and moves on to a direct competitor with your company’s data in tow, it can be easy to imagine that the competitor in question is in on the scam. Through the corporate competitor intelligence gathering process, investigators may be able to uncover disproportionate compensation or benefits on the table that warrant suspicion. In other cases, reaching out to the competitor to inform them that their prospective employee is held by a non-compete contractual obligation may stop a potential snowball in its tracks.
Trained in both conflict resolution and interrogation, corporate investigators will be able to provide impartial support as you conduct an exit interview with a red-flag employee. This crucial meeting will facilitate the re-establishment of the legal ramifications of trade secret theft, and provide an ill-intentioned departing employee with the opportunity to think twice. At this juncture, asking the right questions will also force a thief in the act to either lie or confess. If an employee gives false answers in a documented interview, this may later serve as vital evidence.
Regardless of whether interventions are effective, the role of a corporate investigator will also include collecting and preserving evidence. This could include performing background checks, reviewing employment records, combing through digital activity records, and carrying out surveillance. When trade secret theft occurs, a high-caliber corporate investigator will be ready to advise on the most prudent course of action.
Reducing the Risk of Non-Compete Violations and Intellectual Property Theft
Contemporary corporate investigation services increasingly strike a balance between prevention and resolution. A trusted corporate investigations firm can help your business reduce risks by performing in-depth background checks before new recruits are brought on board, compiling corporate competitive intelligence, and performing security audits of both physical premises and digital practices. All too often, corporate theft is only a contributing piece of evidence pointing to eroded culture within the workplace. A Corporate Culture Audit from Lauth Investigations can provide not only a vivid insight into the health of your business’s inner workings, but also a multi-faceted strategy to iron-clad the road ahead. Discover more about our corporate services, or contact our team today for access to expert guidance and swift tailored solutions.
Does your company need an undercover corporate investigator?
From time to time, corporate entities within Indianapolis and right across Indiana will inevitably face the need for some sort of internal investigation. For small business owners right through to those at the helm of vast organizations, it is impossible to know every detail of what goes on while employees are on the clock. When circumstances lead you to suspect that something untoward is occurring, recruiting the best private investigator services to resolve any issues swiftly is always a deft move. Here, we will explore why an undercover corporate investigator can be so valuable, the types of misconduct that can warrant such action, and what to look for in the best private detective for the task at hand.
Types of Corporate Misconduct That Can Warrant an Undercover Investigation
The nature of misconduct that might lead you to call in the private detective cavalry can be varied both in terms of nature and frequency. Using an undercover corporate investigator is typically called for in matters where discretion is key. At Lauth Investigations HQ here in Indianapolis, our team has certainly encountered businesses battling damage done by a single but unidentified employee, alongside those suffering an endemic crisis of misbehavior due to disastrously failing corporate culture.
The impact of issues bubbling just under the surface can span from relatively small-volume revenue loss due to employee time theft, through to major crisis following large-scale fraud or embezzlement. Whichever the case may be, the best private investigator services will provide a precise and decisive game, and a solid body of evidence, allowing you the opportunity to successfully navigate whatever lies ahead. Examples of instances when an undercover investigation may be pertinent include:
Employee payroll abuse and time theft
All forms of harassment, bullying, or discriminatory behavior
Suspected employee substance abuse
Corporate theft
White-collar crime
FMLA abuse
Asset misuse
Non-compete violations
Corruption and bribery
Workplace incident investigations
Fraud and forgery
Stealth Is Often The Most Efficient Way To Route Out A Problem
Providing a unique upper-hand over internal investigations, an undercover corporate investigator is able to discreetly uncover truths and reveal inconsistencies, all while compiling a comprehensive file of documented evidence. The best private detective for this task will be experienced and adept at going undercover in the field, as well as being able to assess all present parties with total impartiality – something that internal HR personnel may find difficult to do. Their sole motivation will be to pin point and highlight the origin of any suspected misconduct without alerting your team to their presence until their investigation is complete.
When you know that something is amiss, identifying the truth of that suspicion can be impeded simply because you and your trusted associates are simply too close to the problem. In contrast, an undercover operation as a facet of the best private investigator services will employ both neutral analysis and a broad surveillance and observation skill set. Your assigned undercover corporate investigator will begin by consulting with you to create a foundational picture of the understanding and intelligence you already have, before beginning the dedicated undertaking of building upon it.
Meeting The Unique Needs Of Your Business or Organization
Corporate entities of any scale can fall prey to those with nefarious intentions, potentially leading to a negative impact on leaders, employees, and clients alike. Talented professionals from Lauth Investigations possess the knowledge and resources required to uncover and even prevent the impact of fraud, misconduct, or deceit in the workplace. We can mount complex undercover operations, drawing on the latest in high-tech surveillance and in-depth understanding of legal factors at every step of the way. In terms of prevention, we offer Corporate Culture Audits, illuminating paths towards reducing the risk of various internal threats. We also provide expert guidance on navigating external risk and enhancing all aspects of security. Learn more about the diversity of Corporate Investigations available from Lauth Investigations – both in Indianapolis, Indiana, and beyond – or contact our team to discuss your unique needs today.
For many, the thought of professional investigators tends to bring two mental images to mind. We either picture the intrepid private investigator on the trail of a missing person or cheating spouse; or – at the other end of the spectrum – we imagine substantial corporate investigations, perhaps sniffing out endemic white-collar crime or embezzlement within vast multinationals. Based on what many have seen in the media, private investigator services seem to only have certain applications.
But, truth be told, a substantial space remains in between these two scenarios with no less of a need. For a diversity of business owners in Indianapolis – and across Indiana at large – recognizing the power that investigative services can offer means access to a wealth of potentially rewarding resources.
Private investigator services can deliver meaningful value and tangible results for businesses of any scale and within any industry. If you have the sense that there is reason to be concerned about the financial, interpersonal, or intellectual property health of your business, a corporate or criminal private investigator could be exactly the ally you need.
Not only can the most skilled investigators sleuth out the truth of a problem already on your radar, but they can also shine a light on how to bolster your business vitals for enhanced performance. Are you curious to know more about what Lauth Investigations might do for your business? Read on to discover some of the untapped potential at your fingertips!
Conducting Impartial Investigations
There are a myriad of different scenarios that can trigger us to conclude that an investigation is warranted. From a restaurant owner who suspects employee substance abuse, to an HR manager who has received a harassment complaint; knowing how to navigate a situation in which some of the facts remain murky is tricky – especially from an inside perspective. In these moments, reaching towards trusted and local private investigator services can ensure that whatever happens next remains impartial.
When crime or misconduct of any kind occurs within a business or corporate environment, the burden of conducting investigations can put an immense amount of strain on a team that would otherwise be focused on driving success. Lifting this burden from your core team both protects their well-being while safeguarding the integrity of investigation results.
You’ll always want to ensure that the results of any investigation impact your business in a positive way – whether that’s making sure that discipline or dismissal won’t later draw legal repercussions, or being able to present a strong body of evidence when reporting a crime. In all of these areas, professional investigators from Lauth Investigations are poised to ensure constructive outcomes for all who seek them in Indianapolis, and beyond.
Uncovering the Information You Need
So, what kinds of scenarios might warrant calling in the experts? The types of private investigator services you require might include conducting research into employee misconduct – ranging from small-scale dishonesty through to large-scale fraud or corruption. It may arrive in the form of research into companies with which you do business – be they suppliers, partners, or prospects for acquisitions, joint ventures, or mergers, to name but a few.
Private investigators possess the skill set required to deliver cost-effective results that are professionally obtained and legally by the book. They are licenced to carry out investigative actions such as background checks or undercover surveillance that would otherwise be out of reach. Ultimately, their role is to ensure that you gain access to the information you need to protect your company and employees from harm.
Staying Ahead of Potential Problems
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Did you know that portion of the work we do here at Lauth Investigations in Indianapolis, Indiana, takes the form of carrying out audits? This element of private investigator services allows businesses small and large to side-step potential pitfalls with time to spare. This might mean conducting security risk assessments before providing tailored advice, or performing corporate culture audits to prevent a breeding ground for misconduct taking hold. The spectrum of support that we offer is broad, and uniquely customized in terms of scope and budget. If you would like to learn more about what our team can do for your business, contact us today.
From HQ in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lauth Investigations provides a steadily growing umbrella of private investigator services; ranging from missing persons to custody issues for private clients, through to workplace investigations small and large within the business and corporate sphere. We draw on the talents of a diverse team with decades of experience across a spectrum of investigative fields. We also take pride in being optimally equipped to provide the very best private investigator to suit the unique challenge of each and every client. One of the ways we help corporations improve themselves from within is by helping them meet the burden of proof regarding sexual harassment.
Among such needs, over recent years many organizations have become acutely aware of the importance of swift action on sexual harassment in the workplace. The #metoo era highlighted not only the importance of safeguarding employee well-being through policy and awareness, but also the potential catastrophes that can unfold when incidents of sexual harassment pass by unheeded. For businesses or organizations in the Midwest either navigating issues of this nature for the first time or exploring how to prevent them proactively, we provide expert support. A private investigator from Lauth Investigations can help you demonstrate that your business truly takes the lead on this vital contemporary issue.
Spotting Sexual Harassment and Stopping It in Its Tracks
Incidents of workplace sexual harassment can take place within an organization of any size, and upon any step of the corporate ladder. Sexual harassment can be described as verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature, including unwelcome advances or requests for sexual favors. Its form can range from isolated incidents through to a chronic pattern of behavior. This might include the use of innuendos and double entendre, proposition and coercion, and intimidation or direct threats. It can also include unwelcome exposure to elicit material.
Not only can workplace sexual harassment risk emotional harm to employees, but also lawsuits of a civil or even criminal nature and potential damage to a company’s reputation. All of these factors make mobilizing on this all-important issue a must. So, how exactly can a private investigator from Lauth Investigations help an Indiana business navigate such a challenge?
Impartial Results and Expert Guidance
Whether handled by leadership within a smaller business, or an HR manager within a larger organization, internal sexual harassment investigations place a particular burden on even the most professional of teams. Those who work alongside both accusers and accused can find impartiality a challenge – also shouldering their own inevitable emotional fallout. In dealing with such a delicate matter, impartiality becomes all the more vital as conclusions drawn and actions taken may later be subject to legal scrutiny and litigation.
In contrast, the best private investigator for such circumstances will possess the training and experience to impartially draw out the information required to move towards resolution. Their in-depth understanding of legal obligations and strategic evidence gathering will ensure that investigation results are dependable in terms of safeguarding the organization, and reliable in terms of safeguarding the well-being of employees.
From Prevention to Resolution
For businesses in Indianapolis and across the Midwest, Lauth Investigations are on hand to undertake Corporate Culture Audits, supporting you in fostering a safe work environment in which your team can thrive. Should the need for a sexual assault investigation arise, we are ready to provide the best private investigator to lead a thorough, sensitive, and discreet investigation, ensuring just resolution for all. Private investigators from Lauth Investigations will uncover and document findings on your behalf, and are even adept at giving testimony when required – providing ultimate peace of mind. Whether you are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, or even further afield, our team are ready to support yours. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist in sexual assault investigations.
A private investigator can identify employee fraud and thief in your workforce, eliminating future threats while maintaining objectivity.
Despite the ability of a business to flourish in any economy, every company is still vulnerable to the possibility of employee theft or fraud. Like a frog in a boiling pot, sometimes companies can be taken by surprise when the theft has gradually grown over a period of time, and no one is the wiser until the business takes an unexpected financial hit. Companies can protect themselves from these frauds with costly in-house investigations into the crime, but a private investigator can go a long way towards identifying all perpetrators, no matter how high up the chain of command it goes.
Recent statistics from several government agencies who supervise finances and labor estimate theft committed annually by employees reaches an excess of $50 billion. Even an isolated incident can blanket a company in a crisis and leave them clawing out of the depths of bankruptcy. It starts with small things, such as taking office supplies for personal use. When this action goes unchecked, the employee might begin taking from petty cash without authorization. The level of the theft will always ratchet up the longer the thief goes undetected.
When an investigator attempts to identify employee fraud is knowing what to look for. Elliot Rysenbry of Trustify says there are six warning signs of employee theft for which Human Resources should be vigilant.
Workaholics
Behaviors of people who might be very dedicated to their jobs are also characteristic of people who might be stealing from your business. People who are always working long hours and never take a vacation. This “dedication” is a front for superiors. People who are stealing via their position do not want to be absent from the workplace for fear a temporary replacement might notice inconsistencies that could indicate fraud.
Hyper-vigilance of connections
When an employee has a close personal connection/relationship with any vendor or associated financial institution, it’s usually not cause for concern of impropriety. However, hyper-vigilance or strong protection of those relationships, it’s possible there’s something in the business arrangement for this employee. One of the most common names for this kind of fraudulent arrangement is “kickbacks” or getting a cut of the profits vendors or financial institutions receive from a thieving employee.
Inflated expenses
This is one of the most common types of theft committed in the workplace. Line items on expense reports are either inflated or fabricated entirely in order to pad the thief’s pocket.
Extravagances
Payroll knows what individual employees make week to week, so when there are unexplained extravagences in an employee’s life, such as a flashy new car, it’s important HR keep an eye on said employee.
Frequent small transactions
Taking from petty cash in small amounts can add up quickly, and is often a sign of more serious, larger-scale fraud being committed within the company.
Entitlement
Employees who feel as though they are underpaid or undervalued at their company are also plausible perpetrators of theft. Whether as a motive or a rationalization, they feel as if what they stole was deserved payment.
While theft can be an extremely toxic element in any work environment, one of the ways to exacerbate it is by conducting a poor internal investigation. Human Resource employees are unsung heroes of companies and businesses, as they are one of the crucial gatekeepers with control over the quality of employees. Not only are they very busy individuals, but they might not be the most objective persons to conduct an internal investigation.
Sometimes a lack of experience with investigations will cause a member of HR to make false or unprepared accusations about the guilt of a particular employee. If this employee is unimpeachable, the company can open itself up to lawsuits and bad press. Even if HR is not conducting the investigation, most employees are not trained investigators and might conduct an inquiry in an illegal manner that could also open the business up to litigation. Sometimes a pay cut for an employee suspected of stealing might seem like a quick and quiet way to resolve these issues, but legal counsel should always be consulted before making these decisions. By the same token, hasty termination of these employees to avoid a messy investigation should always involve the opinion of a legal expert—all in the name of protecting the country from plausible legal trouble.
The simple answer to avoiding all of the aforementioned ways to inflame an internal theft investigation is to retain the services of a private investigator. Private investigators can save companies from themselves in terms of opening themselves up to litigation or bad press. Private investigators have more skill and experience in these areas preventing investigations from blowing up in a negative manner. They are independent contractors, therefore, do not have a dog in the race when it comes to identifying the culprit of the theft. Their objectivity will be crucial, especially if the theft within the company goes all the way to the executive level. Because of their authority over employees, CEOs of companies might often get a soft front from HR or other investigative bodies within the business. Private investigators—being unknown to other employees in the business—can also conduct undercover operations to yield truthful and unbiased results. The private investigator, along with business counsel, can also advise Human Resource departments how to proceed once the culprit has been identified. Whatever the specific needs of a company, always consider hiring a private investigator to conduct internal investigations in order to protect and enhance the longevity of your business.
Identify employee fraud and theft today with Lauth Investigations International. Call 317-951-1100 or visit us online at our website for a free quote.
