Assignment task: Sexual harassment
Katie Hogan returned to work at the Maryborough Hospital after 12 months on maternity leave. Katie was employed in the Cleaning Services department. Upon her return she formed friendships with Janet Day and James Ward, who also worked in Cleaning Services. During a chat on day, Janet told Katie that James was transferred to Cleaning Services because he assaulted a fellow employee in another department.
A short time later James started making remarks about sex in front of Katie and Janet. Katie also received sexually suggestive emails to her hospital email address, and text messages to her private mobile phone from James.
Katie told her husband who encouraged her to make a formal complaint. Katie refused as she did not want the additional stress in the workplace. In the following weeks James continued to make sexually suggestive comments toward Katie. Katie began to keep a diary, recording the times, dates and details of the comments made by James.
On the 20th of February this year, Katie was alone in the hospital linen room with James when he offered her $50 to send him a photo of her breasts. Katie refused and immediately made a formal complaint to her supervisor who took extensive notes of her complaint. As a result, James was suspended pending an investigation into his behaviour.
Question: Outline how you would conduct your investigation in an ethical manner. Ensure you include any relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice and information required to be given to responsible parties concerning the nature of the investigation.