Extract from Hanzo’s article “How to Handle Internal Investigations: Different Tactics for Different Triggers”
Internal investigations often start small. A complaint, a suspicious transaction, or a red flag in a routine audit. Most companies try to manage these issues internally, without specialized tools or external legal support. That’s usually because it’s unclear whether the situation will escalate into litigation, and the cost of outsourcing every case isn’t realistic. In many organizations, there are dozens or even hundreds of these smaller investigations each year.
But even small cases carry serious risks. Poor handling can damage employee trust, allow systemic problems to persist, or turn a manageable issue into a legal crisis. And while every investigation is different—a discrimination complaint, a financial fraud alert, or concerns about intellectual property theft—the need is the same: a process that is fast, discreet, thorough, and defensible.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to run internal investigations across different scenarios. You’ll find practical steps, key considerations, and strategies to help your team stay consistent, proactive, and legally sound.
Laying the foundation for an effective investigation
No matter the trigger, every internal investigation needs to start on solid ground.
