Whats the difference between an independent investigator and an independent person?
In very simple terms an independent investigator is someone outside the organisation, often provided by LGE, SOLACE etc, who is commissioned to conduct an external and independent investigation into allegations generally about misconduct but sometimes about capability against a senior manager. The reason this is done is to promote the appearance of fairness and independence, and because usually the person who would normally conduct a disciplinary investigation has had some prior involvement with the person. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether the allegations have any foundation or, on other words, whether there is a ‘case to answer’. On the other hand, a Designated Independent Person (or DIP) is someone again independent of the organisation who is appointed with the agreement of both parties to conduct an investigation into allegations of misconduct or capability once it has been demonstrated to the employer that there is in fact a case to answer. This procedure is
