Course Overview

When evaluating a company’s business practices and legal compliance, the focus often centres on its financial records. However, it is equally vital to scrutinise HR policies and practices, which encompass less tangible areas pertaining to employee dignity and well-being. Although these aspects are harder to quantify, their impact on productivity can be significant. Furthermore, poor business practices can result in costly legal sanctions. Much like regular companies ensure proper financial, legal, and management practices, HR audits serve as invaluable tools for assessing policies and practices, thus ensuring that the company maintains a safe, competent, and respectful work environment. They are instrumental in highlighting weaknesses within the HR function, areas for improvement, and even areas lacking in policies or procedures. The HR audit encompasses various evaluation areas, ranging from preemployment requirements to the entire recruitment process, onboarding procedures, benefits enrolment, safeguarding confidential information, and managing, developing, retaining, and supporting employees. It also includes procedures for handling employee exits, whether voluntary or otherwise. This course will guide you through the different phases of an HR audit, starting from the “Data Collection and Information Gathering” phase and extending to the often overlooked “Action Planning” phase. While the process resembles that of a Human Resources consultant conducting a standard HR audit, the structure and presentation allow you to perform the audit independently. The adopted approach breaks down key areas commonly found in Human Resources functions into various audit categories.