City of Hamilton’s Office of the Auditor General releases Audit of Human Resources (HR) Investigations Process

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton’s Office of the Auditor General (OAG) completed an audit of the City’s Human Resources (HR) Investigations Process. The purpose of the audit was to assess the extent to which the HR investigations process reflects accepted standards for workplace investigations in Ontario, and to identify whether observed issues are systemic.

The OAG found widespread procedural fairness concerns across the sample of files reviewed. The findings suggest systemic weakness in both the City’s HR investigation framework and overall processes.

Overall, the audit identified indicators that suggested a lack of neutrality in HR investigations. It was noted that when compared to typical ranges referenced in workplace investigation research/literature, the substantiation rate, the rate at which allegations of complainants are found to be substantiated, which was 76% in the sample, was unusually high. This raised concerns that complainant evidence may in some cases have been accepted with insufficient scrutiny. 

“These audit findings are serious and significant,” said Charles Brown, Auditor General. “It is critical that the City modernize its HR investigations process to ensure it conforms with accepted standards for workplace investigations in Ontario”

The OAG has made six recommendations to help the City modernize and improve its HR investigations processes. The City’s management agreed with all recommendations and provided management responses.

Quick facts

• The audit of the City’s HR Investigations Process was launched by the Auditor General in late 2025 as a spontaneous value for money audit due to a Fraud and Waste Hotline report that was received and investigated by the OAG in 2024 and raised concerns about HR investigations processes.
• The Fraud and Waste Hotline is available 24/7. Details can be found at www.hamilton.ca/fraud.