Undercover operations are one of the most effective investigative tools that MSA Investigations employs in workplace investigations. A well placed undercover operative is in a unique position to directly report on a whole host of improper and/or illegal employee behavior in the workplace that can create unnecessary risk to the organization.
A great advantage to an undercover operation is that it is employee-interactive and allows for the first-hand collection of evidence and information concerning suspected employees. Our undercover operatives can then testify directly about the evidence they obtained in a court of law, in a deposition or a labor proceeding.
Our experience in undercover operations has shown that employers may not even be aware of the level of misconduct, criminal activity and exposure to liability that sometimes exists in their workplaces. Undercover operations have also been able to relieve the concerns of management, when we have dispelled rumors and found no evidence that misconduct exists at their facility.
Additional information
MSA Investigations recommends that employers confer with their attorney or legal staff before engaging in an undercover operation, to ensure that they are in compliance with their existing labor agreements and federal, state and local laws.
Information on undercover operations within the organization should be kep to the absolute minimum amount of people and should be consistent with an absolute "need to know" policy. Generally this will include top level management, directors of security and human resources personnel.
The client should allow the undercover operative to be placed in a position that allows mobility and access to suspected employees. Sometimes, multiple investigators may be necessary to investigate various shifts and units within the organization.
MSA Investigations maintains daily two-way communication with our undercover operative(s) and debriefs them to assess new information as it becomes available. Open lines of communication and scheduled strategy meetings between MSA Investigations and the client are paramount to sharing information and for the effective management of the investigation. This collaborative effort also allows MSA Investigations to conduct the investigation in the most cost effective way.
Undercover operatives detail all their findings in a daily report submitted after each shift worked. These daily reports will form the basis for a complete final report that details all of the evidence found during the investigation.