Confidential investigations

Confidential investigations

ReulingSchutte conducts neutral and independent investigations on behalf of clients into individuals and/or organizational culture and/or specific incidents. In addition, several professionals at ReulingSchutte serve as members and/or chairpersons of complaints committees that investigate complaints.

ReulingSchutte has extensive experience in conducting confidential investigations within various commercial companies and non-profit organizations, including government institutions and organizations in the healthcare sector. ReulingSchutte holds a license under the Private Security Organizations and Detective Agencies Act (POB number 1887). Certified investigators at ReulingSchutte are Tjarda Pieters, Eva Knipschild, Eugenie Nunes and Hester Uhlenbroek. They possess the official identification for private investigators (the so-called “yellow pass”). In addition, ReulingSchutte has a network of experts from various disciplines, such as psychologists, behavioral scientists and financial experts, who can be engaged where necessary. The investigator may also, where appropriate, be supported by a secretary from her network.

An investigation may focus on one or more individuals, the culture within a company or a specific department, and/or a specific incident. ReulingSchutte conducts investigations into, among other things, inappropriate or transgressive behavior, organizational culture, and wrongdoing reported by whistleblowers. Our investigations focus on establishing the (plausibility of the) facts and the context in which they occurred. If desired, the investigator can also provide recommendations for next steps. An investigator from ReulingSchutte can also be engaged as a process facilitator for an investigative committee in order to guide the course and progress of an investigation.

The working method for investigations is as follows. The investigator will explore with the client what the research question is and whether an investigation is the best approach in the specific situation, as an investigation has an impact on all those involved. If it is decided to proceed with an investigation and the research question has been established by the client, a tailored investigation protocol will be drawn up in which both the interests of the client and those of the persons involved are central. Full transparency and the application of the principle of hearing both sides (audi alteram partem) are key starting points. The research methods used include document review and conducting interviews. Ultimately, a report is prepared to answer the research questions.

Where required due to the nature of the investigation, these activities are carried out in accordance with the code of conduct for private investigation agencies. These rules are laid down in the Privacy Code of Conduct for the Private Investigation Agencies sector. You can download this document here. A separate complaints procedure applies to these activities (see: complaints procedure).

Would you like to read more about investigations and the working methods of ReulingSchutte? Tjarda Pieters wrote the article Rules of the Game for Person-Focused Investigations in ArbeidsRecht 2026/7.