Conduct Investigation Into Alleged Bias by Chief Executive Officer

100 FTE, Multisite Custom Robotics Manufacturer

BACKGROUND

  • Board of directors received anonymous email alleging gender and sexual orientation bias by portfolio company CEO

  • Complaint failed to provide any specific incidents, names, dates, times or locations

  • The board determined that corporate governance dictated an independent investigation of the allegations

SCOPE

  • Independent consultant to be engaged to advise board on various options to investigate complaint

  • Consultant to direct all facets of investigation

  • Consultant to present findings and recommendations for next steps to the board

Deliverables

  • Crafted a creative approach to investigating complaint in the absence of any specific data or complainant

  • Focused on assessing organizational climate and impact of CEO in the workplace

  • Guided board on communicating with CEO regarding complaint and board investigation

  • Selected and oversaw organizational psychologist to conduct a 360-leadership survey and a corporate climate survey

  • Drafted communication to workforce enlisting them to provide confidential feedback on leadership and culture

  • Achieved 100% response rate to online surveys

  • Determined that claims of bias could not be substantiated, but improvements to culture could be made

  • Coached board on how to bring closure to investigation with CEO and provide him developmental feedback