Investigation Services                             Investigator’s Licence Number 38225

Zambotti Consulting has been an approved provider of Investigation and Inquiry services to Government since 2003 conducting over 250 investigations into matters related to discipline, performance, complaints and grievances for public and private sector clients during this time. 

As a former public servant, HR manager and as a consultant Darianne has gained a thorough understanding of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements relating to the investigation of allegations including: bullying, sexual harassment, assault, disobeying a lawful instruction, fraud, negligence in the performance of duties,and failure to comply with codes of conduct.

Darianne is also familiar with the requirements related to administrative actions and administrative decision making as  Senior Sessional Member (since 2005) of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), an independent body that makes and reviews a range of administrative decisions. Darianne works in the Vocational Registration stream which makes original decisions and reviews the decisions of other bodies in regard to the registration of health professionals and professionals from other groups.

During the investigation process Darianne ensures procedural fairness and treats employees who are the subject of investigations with consideration, courtesy and respect.  Procedural fairness is essential in every disciplinary process.  
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The key rules of procedural fairness are:

1.  The bias rule 

• The  employing  authority  (or  person  requested  to  investigate)  acts  fairly and without bias; and 
• The  employing  authority  (or  person  requested  to  investigate)  does  not hold, or is not perceived to hold, a vested or direct personal interest in the outcome of the process. 

2.  Hearing rule 

• The  employee  is  provided  with  notice  of  any  allegations  against  them, given  a  reasonable  opportunity  to  respond  to  those  allegations  or decisions affecting him or her, and their response is genuinely considered. 

3.  Evidence rule 

• Decisions are based on logically probative (compelling) evidence; and
• Irrelevant  considerations  are  not  taken  into  account  in  making  the decision.

Darianne operates from the principle that employees do not naturally commit acts of misconduct and that that natural order of things is that the employee/employer relationship is one of mutual benefit with agreed terms. 

An important area of consideration for both the investigation and for the management of risk is; what contributed to the misconduct taking place.  Darianne provides the referring agency with independent information about context and contributing factors to assist with the organisation’s management of risk. High quality reports with findings and reasons enable organisations to make well founded, robust, informed decisions. Darianne keeps in mind the various audiences who may access the reports.

In the past few years Darianne has worked with employment law firms under legal professional privilege, and with General Counsel in organisations, assisting them with investigations relating to highly sensitive, high risk matters.

Zambotti Consulting also assists organisations to manage grievances and complaints where Darianne works with the parties involved identifying options for resolution. Darianne is a trained mediator and uses the Leading Edge Alternative Dispute Resolution (LEADR) mediation model. 

Often it is found that employee performance is a contributing factor in grievances and disciplinary matters.  It is important to separate performance including substandard performance from disciplinary matters as they require very different treatment.  Darianne is able to provide support and coaching managers/supervisors in dealing with performance issues.

Clients include:
Department of Health, Perth Airport Authority, City of South Perth, Department of Education, University of Western Australia, Department of Transport, Murdoch University, MercyCare, Department of Planning, AngliCare, Various TAFE's, Department of Culture and the Arts, Amana Living, The Salvation Army, Catholic Education, Department of Justice, OutCare, Disability Services, Main Roads, Department of Environment, Adelaide Brighton, Rottnest Island Authority, Hope Community Services, City of Perth, various law firms.