How long does an investigation take?
Unfortunately there is no simple answer. An investigation should take as long as necessary to get the essential facts — and no longer. In our experience, this has been anywhere from a few days to several weeks. We always sit down with our clients to plan the investigation. Once we agree on the goals and scope of the investigation, we can give you an estimate of how much time it will take and when you can expect a final report. Some cases are relatively simple and some involve multiple issues, complex facts or numerous witnesses. We always work hard to preserve and gather the evidence quickly before memories fade and materials get deleted or altered. Our experience enables us to efficiently collect and analyze the necessary information without wasting time chasing irrelevant details or issues.
How much does an investigation cost?
We bill at an agreed-upon hourly rate that is typically much lower than that of a law firm. Your cost will depend on the amount of work required to get you the answers you need. Fortunately, our seasoned consultants work efficiently. And we always look for ways to leverage your own resources to reduce your costs. Recent investigations have ranged from approximately $5,000 to approximately $40,000, with the average being less than $15,000. Of course, we never charge for an initial meeting to plan your investigation.
Do we need to bring in someone from the outside to do the investigation?
Absolutely not. Many investigations can be done in-house by your own people — typically human resources professionals, managers, Title IX coordinators, EEO specialists or others. In fact, Mendota Consultants offers a free 1.25 hour training on the basics of conducting an investigation. Contact us to arrange for someone to come train your staff so they are prepared when the time comes.
What are the advantages of bringing in an outside investigator?
Sometimes your people are simply too busy or don’t have the necessary skills to conduct a good investigation. In other cases, your staff may have potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Bringing in an outside investigator sends a strong message that you are committed to a fair and impartial fact-finding process. Investigations may be subject to scrutiny by courts, regulators or the public long after the fact. So there is great value in making sure you get a neutral, independent, high-quality investigation.
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