8 Ways Personnel Audit Can Benefit Your Organization

WHAT IS A STAFF AUDIT?

A staff audit is a fresh review of staffing. It provides up-to-date information on personnel, and typically includes data on: Employee numbers, categorized by type of employment (precise definitions will depend on national regulations).

Conducting a period workforce audit is a proactive method to addressing employee-related concerns before they become problems outside your scope of expertise. Small businesses, in particular, that pay attention to employment issues are often able to manage workforce developments easier when they conduct periodic audits of employee personnel files, staffing models, safety measures and training.

OBJECTIVES OF STAFF AUDIT

The primary objective of personnel audit is to know how the various units are functioning and how they have been able to meet the policies and guidelines which were agreed upon; and to assist the rest of the organisation by identifying the gaps between objectives and results, for the end product of an evaluation should be to formulate plans for corrections of adjust­ments.”

The objectives of personnel audit can be listed in a more orderly manner as follows:

1. To review the whole organisational system of human resource practices, i.e., acquiring, developing, allocating and utilizing human resources in the organisation.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of various personnel policies and practices.
3. To identify shortcomings in the implementation of human resource practices in the organisation.
4. To modify the existing human resource practices to meet the challenges of personnel/human resource management.

STAFF AUDIT STEPS

1. Review the employee personnel files to determine if they contain documentation related to eligibility to work.
2. Compare the employee’s job description to the actual tasks the employee performs in the regular course of his or her job.
3. Review payroll records to determine whether employees are properly classified as exempt or nonexempt and if your payroll department is accurately processing overtime pay, when applicable.
4. Obtain copies of employee benefit package information. Review the selections offered to employees for group health plan coverage, including vision and dental plans, life insurance and long-term care insurance policies.
5. Talk to supervisors about the department’s staffing levels. Although auditing individual employee files and job descriptions are helpful, another component of auditing employees includes reviewing staffing models to measure the functionality of the company’s various departments.
6. Examine training and orientation records to ensure employees receive up-to-date orientation and training on company policies, work processes and organizational structure. New employee orientation and regular training is fundamental to providing employees with the necessary tools to meet the company’s expectations.
7. Obtain workplace safety logs and records pertaining to your company’s safety program to determine whether employees follow procedures related to complex machinery, dangerous equipment or hazardous materials

BENEFITS

1. Add Value.
2. Learn from Best Practices.
3. Review Current Compliance
4. Instill Confidence.
5. Keep Tabs on Required Documentation
6. Attract Top Talent.
7. Increase Employee Retention
8. Improve Workplace Safety.