The ‘Ins and Outs’ of Accountability Audits

As the global workforce continues to push forward through these unprecedented times, it’s important now more than ever to recognize the paramountcy of holding organizations and workplaces accountable for the safety and wellbeing of their employees. Regardless of if individuals are working remotely or in-office, employment laws that protect employees from harassment, discrimination, and other misconduct still apply. An external accountability audit has proven to be the most effective and strategic approach to the identification and remedy of  problem areas and employee dissatisfaction within an organization. These audits, when conducted with a holistic, objective approach, are sure to promote and uphold an atmosphere of inclusivity and transparency, and protect the dignity and fair treatment of employees. So, what exactly IS an accountability audit?

What?

An accountability audit is a holistic examination of an organization’s approach to employee relations. This typically includes, but is not limited to, a survey of employee satisfaction, an analysis of the handling of previous misconduct issues, and the creation of new and effective accountability structures. The audit will strategically uncover and pinpoint particular problem areas identified by the organization’s employee’s, with an emphasis on those pain points regarding discrimination and disparate treatment based on race, ethnicity, nationality, and identity. The end-goal is to provide a wealth of insight, metrics, and statistics to help inform the path forward for a company to achieve its goals related to issues of diversity and inclusion.

How?

A third-party investigation group is typically responsible for the conduction of an accountability audit. This is done through the combination of a number of techniques and services, including: creation of accountability structures, providing investigation services, focus on risk management, and ongoing strategic HR support. 

Why?

This question is quite self-explanatory. This moment in history is unlike anything previously seen with regard to resetting expectations around equity and fair treatment. The path forward for organizations across the world is to hold themselves accountable for the fair treatment of their employees. 

The Triangle Takeaway: Taking proactive preventive action to ensure the wellbeing of your employees is an essential part of keeping your business running efficiently and your workforce happy. An accountability audit is an effective way of accomplishing this, and of taking a stand for justice.