Lifestyle Assessments & Gardening Leave

In conjunction with background reporting, Investigations Direct frequently carry out lifestyle assessments, which may utilise a combination of desktop research, undercover enquiries and covert surveillance techniques.

Our research may uncover cases of fraud and prove whether a member of staff is passing clients to a third party. Often, an employee leaving a job is instructed to stay away from work during their notice period, while still remaining on the payroll. This practice, known as ‘gardening leave’, is often used to prevent employees from taking with them up-to-date (and perhaps sensitive) information when they leave their current employer, especially when they are leaving to join a competitor or setting up a new business.

If the individual is found to be setting up in business as a competitor to the former employer, or indeed approaching a former client, our evidence can prove crucial in obtaining a Court Order or Injunction enforcing the terms of contract.

In some cases, we are often tasked to carry out enquiries into a person’s circumstances; means testing. Background enquiries combined with covert surveillance techniques will identify an individual’s private, work and financial status: evidence that can be used in any legal proceedings.

For further information about our Lifestyle Assessment services or to discuss a particular matter or situation, please contact Jon Fawcet on +44 (0)20 7917 2939 or by email.