Can I suspend an employee while I investigate?

Sometimes, but don't reach for it as a reflex. Suspension isn't a neutral pause button. It's a serious step, so only use it when there's a real reason, like protecting an investigation, other staff, or the business, and when nothing lighter will do. If you do suspend, keep it short and keep them on full pay.

The mistake I see most is suspending too quickly. Done badly it feels like a punishment before you've found anything out, it damages trust, and it can hand the employee a claim on its own. So put the reason in writing, make clear it isn't a disciplinary in itself, and keep reviewing it. Don't leave someone hanging.

General guidance to help you decide your next step, not legal advice. Employment law changes, so always check the current position for your own situation.