A periodic HR audit can qualify its effectiveness within an organization. HR audits may accomplish a variety of objectives, such as ensuring legal compliance; helping maintain or improve a competitive advantage; establishing efficient documentation and technology practices; and identifying strengths and weaknesses in training, communications and other employment practices.
Objectives of the Human Resource Audit
- To review the performance of the Human Resource Department and its relative activities in order to assess the effectiveness on the implementation of the various policies to realize the Organizational goals.
- To identify the gaps, lapses, irregularities, short-comings, in the implementation of the Policies, procedures, practices, directives, of the Human Resource Department and to suggest remedial actions.
- To know the factors which are detrimental to the non-implementation or wrong implementation of the planned Programs and activities.
- To suggest measures and corrective steps to rectify the mistakes, shortcomings if any, for future guidance, and advise for effective performance of the work of the Human Resource Department.
- v To evaluate the Personnel staff and employees with reference to the Performance Appraisal Reports and suggest suitable recommendations for improving the efficiency of the employees.
- To evaluate the job chart of the Human Resource Managers, Executives, Administrative Officers, Executive Officers, Recruitment Officers, whether they have implemented the directives and guidelines for effective Management of the Human resources in their respective Departments.
Benefits of Human Resource Audit
Several benefits associated with Human Resource audit are listed below. An audit reminds member of HR department and others its contribution, creating a more professional image of the department among manager and specialist. The audit helps clarify the department’s role and leads to greater uniformity, especially in the geographically scattered and decentralized HR function of large organizations. Perhaps most important, it finds problems and ensures compliance with a variety of laws and strategic plans in an organization.
- Identifies the contribution of Human Resource department to the organization
- Improves the professional image of the Human Resource department.
- Encourages greater responsibility and professionalism among member of the Human Resource department.
- Clarifies the HR department’s duties and responsibilities.
- Stimulates uniformity of HR policies and practices.
- Finds critical HR problems.
- Ensures timely compliance with legal requirements.
- Reduces human resource cost through more effective Human Resource procedure.
- Creates increased acceptance of needed change in the Human Resource department.
- Requires thorough review of Human Resource Department’s information system.
Besides ensuring compliance, the audit can improve the department’s image and contribution to the company. Operating managers may have more respect for the department when an audit team seeks their view. If the comments of manager are acted on, the department will be seen as being more responsive to their needs. And since it is service department, these actions may improve its contribution to organizational objectives.
