
In California, bullying investigations are a growing area of workplace investigations. Workplace bullying can devastate morale, productivity, and retention. For employers, failing to act carries legal, cultural, and reputational risks. At Allen Morris Investigations, we provide independent, confidential workplace bullying investigations that uncover the facts and equip leadership with defensible findings. Our firm helps employers resolve complaints fairly and restore a safe, respectful culture. We also conduct student bullying investigations in schools.
Workplace bullying differs from ordinary conflict. It involves repeated, targeted behaviors that undermine, intimidate, or isolate employees. Unlike isolated disagreements, bullying creates a hostile environment that can rise to a compliance risk if left unaddressed.
Unchecked bullying leads to high turnover, absenteeism, mental health claims, and exposure to litigation under harassment or hostile work environment theories. Employers who investigate promptly demonstrate commitment to employee well-being and reduce liability.

At Allen Morris Investigations, our process begins with trauma-informed, evidence-based interviewing techniques. We focus on creating a respectful environment that encourages cooperation from all participants. Employees, supervisors, and witnesses are approached in a professional, non-confrontational manner to ensure accurate and reliable information gathering.
We ensure that every investigation is aligned with California labor laws, EEOC guidance, and organizational policies. Our investigators uphold the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct, documenting each step carefully to protect both the organization and employees. Employers receive reports that are comprehensive, defensible, and ready to withstand scrutiny in litigation or agency review.
We conduct a structured review of all available information, including:
This step ensures that the investigation is fact-driven, consistent, and supported by multiple sources of evidence.
Thorough investigative plans tailored to each bullying complaint.
At the conclusion of the investigation, employers receive a clear, written report that separates substantiated findings from unsubstantiated claims. Our reports provide not only findings but also recommendations for corrective actions, workplace training, and preventive measures that strengthen organizational culture.
By following this structured approach, California organizations gain confidence in their response to workplace bullying complaints. Our investigations help minimize legal risk, support fair decision-making, and demonstrate to employees that leadership takes concerns seriously. This not only resolves the immediate complaint but also builds long-term trust in management.
Organizations choose Allen Morris Investigations for independent, impartial workplace investigations because of:
Learn more about the lead investigator’s credentials.
A California technology firm retained us after multiple employees reported that a senior executive engaged in intimidation, verbal abuse, and deliberate undermining of staff.
Our investigation included:
Findings confirmed a pattern of bullying behavior that negatively affected morale and performance. The company acted on our recommendations by implementing leadership changes, revising reporting protocols, and offering follow-up training. Employee turnover decreased significantly within six months.
Harassment Investigations
Bullying may cross into illegal harassment. Learn about harassment investigations.
School Investigations
Student bullying requires specialized approaches. Explore school investigation services.
Employee Misconduct
Bullying is a form of workplace misconduct. See misconduct investigations.
Please reach us at Kathie@Allenmorrispi.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In California, retaliation occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in a protected activity, such as reporting harassment, discrimination, or safety concerns.
Most investigations are completed within 2–4 weeks, depending on the number of witnesses and evidence.
Executives, HR leaders, or legal counsel typically initiate external investigations when impartiality and defensibility are critical. Engaging an independent investigator ensures neutrality, strengthens credibility, and demonstrates that the organization takes employee concerns seriously.
Employers should collect written complaints, witness statements, performance documentation, and any relevant emails or messages. An investigator will also look for patterns across time, departments, or teams that demonstrate repeated behavior.
Bullying generally refers to repeated, harmful behavior that creates a hostile environment, but it is not always tied to a legally protected category. Harassment, by contrast, is unlawful when it is based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or disability. An investigation helps determine whether conduct constitutes bullying, harassment, or both.
Yes. Even if the behavior does not meet the strict legal definition of harassment, bullying can still damage morale, increase turnover, reduce productivity, and expose the organization to liability under related laws, including harassment, retaliation, or negligent retention. Ignoring bullying complaints can result in costly claims and reputational harm.
Employees provide essential information by sharing their experiences, observations, and supporting documentation. Their cooperation is critical to building a complete picture of events. Confidentiality is maintained as much as possible, but employees should be aware that information shared may be used to reach fact-based findings.
Workplace bullying includes repeated, unreasonable actions directed at an employee or group that create a risk to health, safety, or job performance. Examples include verbal abuse, intimidation, exclusion, undermining work, or spreading rumors. It goes beyond ordinary workplace conflict and reflects a pattern of harmful behavior.
Unresolved bullying can lead to employee turnover, low morale, decreased productivity, reputational damage, and potential legal exposure if conduct overlaps with harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Failure to act may also undermine trust in leadership and create broader cultural issues.
The investigator delivers findings supported by evidence and, where appropriate, provides recommendations to address the behavior and prevent recurrence. Leadership can then take corrective or preventive action, such as training, policy updates, coaching, or disciplinary measures, depending on the severity of the findings.
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Phone: 949-573-4624
Email: Kathie@allenmorrispi.com
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