Conducting an internal audit may not top the list of things HR professionals look forward to doing, but the importance of reviewing HR practices should not be understated or ignored. Simply put, an HR audit can be the savior that keeps your company out of the court room.

The Power of an HR Audit – The Case For Doing it, and a Checklist to Get it Done

 

Think about this: On average, there are more than 450 employment lawsuits filed each week. The most common target is private employers with between 15 and 100 employees. While you may not be able to control if somebody files the suit, are you prepared to defend the company when someone does? With plaintiff attorneys on the offensive, joined by an administration and Department of Labor sympathetic to that cause, employers need to be ready to handle whatever is thrown their way.

But the reasoning behind internal HR audits extends further than lawsuit defense, for example:

• Audits are a sure way of making sure the best practices and HR metrics are being followed by the company
• They help with process improvement
• They can lead to fewer errors and complaints
• Can increase readiness for government investigations
• May lead to a reduction in EPLI (external insurance) coverage costs
• Build management support to come on board with HR practices
• Lead to a better use of employment law expenses

So, what exactly does an HR audit do? As with any audit, it takes a look at just what you are doing a little more closely. In this case, it measures the health of current HR practices. An HR audit will help you identify deficiencies and provide direction in the following subjects: employment practices, employment policies, employment related documentations, employment law compliance.

Bottom line: an internal HR audit is an opportunity to save the company money and avoid problems they may otherwise face. At the end of the day, an audit should help you to develop more consistent policies, treat employees more fairly, and in return the employees become more productive.

When it comes to an audit, there are two main areas of focus- compliance and best practices. Compliance looks at the legal aspects of HR and includes areas such as missing, outdated, or conflicting policies or inconsistencies between policy and practice. The practices pays attention to what is (and isn’t) working for the company including the current processes (on issues such as recruiting, discipline or terminations) and procedures (on issues such as performance or evaluations).

To get started, you will need to develop an audit team. This includes key management personnel. You want people who can give you clear input of what exactly is going on. Feedback from non-management employees is helpful, but they should not be part of a formal ‘team.’

So you have the team and are ready to go. Which areas should you look at first? I don’t know if there is a good first or second place to begin with, but there are plenty of places to get to. An HR audit should ask the following questions:

• Do you have all the required postings present and visible?
• Does your company follow all appropriate I-9 requirements, including proper recording?
• Do employment applications contain any questions that are illegal? Are they properly maintained?
• Is the employee handbook current and legal? Do employees have a copy? Have they signed documentation showing that they have obtained a copy?
• Are any files stored in the managers’ desk files (rather than properly placed in records file)?
• Are all OSHA logs are up to date, completed, and available to employees?
• Do you have an electronic communication policy (this includes email, social media, etc.)?
• Do you have a policy for company issued cell phones (how often can they talk, can they text/ send pictures, for personal use or just business, etc.)?
• Do you have a legally sufficient anti-harassment policy? Does it include a strong anti-retaliation policy?
• Do you have a grievance or complaint procedure in place that employees are aware of and feel like they can use?
• Is the at-will language in your handbook legal?
• Is the paid time off policy clear?
• Do you have a satisfactory equal opportunity employment policy? Is it noted on job postings?
• Are FMLA policies and procedures up to date?
• Do you have substance abuse policies in place?
• Are employees aware of safety or accident reporting policies?
• Are ERISA and COBRA requirements met and followed through on?
• Are ADA policies up to date and followed?
• Does the company comply with all FLSA regulations? See this article for more information on wage and hour requirements under FLSA.
• What are your recruiting procedures that you have in place? Are you looking for the right candidate? Do you have an effective (and legal) application? Do you conduct a background check (criminal check plus work history/ references)? Who handles the interviews?
• Do you have a proper onboarding practice for new employees?
• Do you have a formal performance evaluation procedure? What about a disciplinary policy procedure? Is it followed consistently?
• Are you properly retaining all records for the appropriate time as required by law?

And as you move forward, remember these two rules from HR 101: document everything (juries will only believe what you have in writing) and be consistent (a policy isn’t a policy unless it’s followed every time).

For a FREE hour-long presentation from two leading employment attorneys on this subject, please login to our Insider Network at http://www.ProjectionsInc.com/webinars.

Note: This information is not intended as legal advice or counsel. Please seek a qualified attorney for more information.

About the Author: Walter Orechwa is CEO of Projections, Inc, in Atlanta. Projections has been helping employers communicate with their workforce since 1979, and today offers video, websites and eLearning on a variety of custom topics, such as Orientation, Labor Relations, Compliance, Benefits, and more. For more information, visit the Projections website at http://www.ProjectionsInc.com