Step 4: Lodging a formal complaint

If the informal in-house mediation fails, or the employee with the harassment concern decides to make a formal complaint, an independent and mutually acceptable person should be arranged to conduct an impartial investigation.
Advise the complainant that a full investigation will be made promptly, confidentially and impartially. Advise the alleged offender of the name of the complainant and the exact nature of the complaint against them.
During the investigation and any associated interviews, always give both the complainant and any employee facing a complaint the opportunity to have a support person present as a witness.