By Sarah Peterson, PHRca, SHRM-SCP
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
— Benjamin Franklin
Few things create more concern for California employers than receiving notice that a lawsuit or claim has been filed against them. It is no surprise that many of our clients ask, ‘How do I prevent a lawsuit?’ The reality is that employers can’t prevent employees from filing a lawsuit or claim, but they can be proactive by taking steps to ensure their human resources (“HR”) policies and practices align with local, state and federal laws. That way, if a lawsuit or claim arises, it will better position employers to defend their employment decisions, demonstrate a good-faith effort to comply with the law, and reduce potential risk and penalties.
That is where regular HR Practice Reviews become so vital. Because an organization’s HR practices form the foundation for hiring, paying, managing, supporting, and retaining its workforce, even small gaps or outdated procedures can create potential risk. And with employment laws, technology, and business priorities constantly changing, policies and processes that worked well or were compliant a year or two ago may now expose the organization to compliance issues or legal claims.
It’s not a lack of desire or failure to recognize the importance of maintaining compliance that create these gaps in HR practices. Rather, it’s often a lack of time, resources, and knowledge. Employers don’t need another abstract reminder that compliance matters; they need a clear, practical, comprehensive review of where their current practices stand, what gaps in compliance may exist, and the corrections that should take priority. Silvers HR offers a comprehensive assessment, what we call an “HR Practices Review”, designed to provide employers with clarity and a path forward.
Our 150-point HR Practice Review covers HR practices from wage and hour compliance to I-9’s and personnel file review, as well as new hire/onboarding procedures, separation practices and performance management, to name a few. However, Silvers HR doesn’t stop there. We provide a prioritized summary of our findings which identifies compliance gaps, highlights areas where our client is already on track and offers a practical roadmap to address gaps and strengthen compliance.
For our clients or any organization that has already completed an HR Practices Review in the past, compliance is not a one-time achievement. HR practices should be revisited regularly as changes in staffing, operations, payroll practices or applicable law can create compliance considerations over time. If your organization has never completed an HR audit, or it has been more than two years since your last HR audit, investing in an HR Practices Review today can save your organization significant time, expense, and disruption tomorrow.
Contact Silvers HR to schedule your HR Practices Review. We are confident you will gain the clarity, confidence, and practical guidance needed to navigate California’s ever-changing employment landscape.