How to Prepare perfect HR Audit Checklist

How to Prepare perfect HR Audit Checklist: Audits help determine the effectiveness of an HR department and/or HR systems. They are a systematic, objective tool to assess regulatory or policy compliance in the workplace. The following list of HR audit questions is not meant to be comprehensive to every organization, merely a representation of the types of questions that may be found in an HR audit.

Management

• Are HR goals in line with those of the organization?
• Are workweeks identified and defined?
• Are full time and part time hours defined?
• Are shifts defined?
• Is there open communication to and from the HR department?

Hiring

• Do job descriptions exist?
• Are job descriptions up to date?
• Are the forms and acceptable documentation reviewed annually?
• Are job openings offered to current employees?
• Are applicant references checked?
• Are turnover rates monitored?
• Are selection processes used with reference to the Uniform Guidelines?
• Are all applicants required to fill out and sign an application form?
• Are applicants asked to voluntar ily identify their affirmative action information?
• If applicable, do application forms identify that the employment relationship at the organization “at will”?
• Do employment applications refrain from requesting protected information?
• Are independent contr actors accurately identified?
• Are the medical information kept in the personnel files?
• Do new employees fill out necessary employment forms?
• Are the official forms sent to the governmental offices

New Employees

• Are workplace policies in place?
• Do policies focus on your workplace?
• Are policies communicated?
• Are policies enforced?
• Is there an employee handbook?
• Is the employee handbook specific to your workplace?
• Do employee orientations take place?
• Are employees trained on policies and work rules?

Wages and Hours

• Are compensation levels monitored and reviewed?
• Is there a formal pay structure?
• Is the compensation structured reviewed regularly?
• Is working time documented?
• Are paid time off (vacation, holidays, etc) structures developed?
• Are the employees compensated at least one and one-half times their hourly wage for any overtime hours?
• Is the overtime policy in place?
• Are all the compensation of the overtime approved and within the budget?
• Is the compensation plan communicated to all employees?
• Are appropriate payroll withholdings performed?

Benefits

• Are employees informed about their benefits?
• Are Summary Plan Descriptions provided to plan participants?
• Are supervisors and managers trained to report employee absences to HR for legal purposes?
• If there is a health care plan, is protected health information kept private?

Employee Relations

• Is there a system for performance evaluation?
• Does the system check for effectiveness of the evaluation?
• Is quality and quantity of work evaluated?
• Is performance tied to Total Rewarding System(compensation)?
• Are workplace policies flexible?
• Are disciplinary actions for violating workplace policies flexible?
• Is there a process for employees to lodge complaints?
• Are there a variety of individuals to whom employees may lodge complaints (supervisor, HR representative)?

Safety and security

• Are safety hazards reported to the appropriate personnel?
• Are workplace accidents, near-misses, injuries, and illnesses reported and investigated?
• Are measures in place to prevent intruders from entering the grounds or buildings?
• Is bright, effective lighting installed indoors and outdoors?
• Are measures in place (access badges, traffic control, etc.) to keep unauthorized persons from entering the facility through normal entrances?
• Is there a reliable response system in place in the event an alarm is triggered?
• Are employees encouraged to promptly report incidents, and suggest ways to reduce or eliminate risks?

Workers’ compensation

• Are injuries/incidents investigated?
• Is follow-up remediation performed where appropriate?
• Is regular contact made with employees out on lost time?
• Are return-to-work programs checked for effectiveness?
• Is contact made with medical providers?
• Are insurance premiums and competitive quotes reviewed on a periodic basis?
• Is the workplace environment maintained with safety in mind?
• Are state (new and existing) requirements monitored?

Employee Separation

• Do exit interviews take place?
• Are final paychecks provided on time?

Record Keeping and other Documentation

• Are personnel files current?
• Are all appropriate labor posters displayed in a conspicuous place?
• Are documents regarding employees kept for their required duration?