Appointment of an investigator
The organization must take steps to investigate the circumstances of a complaint. The person selected to conduct the investigation should be independent and objective. Wherever possible, the investigator should not be in a position of direct authority over any of the people involved in a complaint, but should report to someone with the authority to make decisions and have them enforced.

An investigation may be conducted by a member of the organization, or by someone external. An investigation should not be carried out by anyone who is seen as taking sides with either party. For example, it is not very likely that a lawyer who often represents management in labour disputes will be seen as being objective by non-management employees. Similarly, a human resources manager who is normally involved in discipline and termination decisions may not be seen as independent. Also, the investigator should not be someone in a position to have any power or influence over the career progress of either of the parties.