Compliance should go beyond simply ensuring that all employees understand and follow the law, rather it should be an integrated part of your company’s values. By fostering a culture of compliance, employers can ensure their employees are aware of applicable laws, regulations, and policies while also providing them with the tools they need to remain compliant. Doing so not only protects businesses from potential legal action or financial losses due to non-compliance issues, but it also helps create an atmosphere where employees feel safe and secure in their work environment.

#1 - Making Employees More Compliant - What You Can Do

Compliance is ultimately an individual responsibility, but employers still have a significant role in helping employees become compliant. When you have a complaint and, more importantly, an ethical workforce, your business is better protected against potential risks. Whether you want to implement bigger hand hygiene compliance in your business, or you want to make your employees more compliant in the context of data protection, you, as an employer, need to lead by example. Most of the following strategies can be implemented in any work environment:

#2 - Lead By Example and Foster a Culture of Compliance

Employers should lead by example when it comes to compliance. Demonstrate the importance of compliance by adhering to safety protocols and legal requirements yourself, such as wearing a face mask in places where it is required or maintaining social distancing rules. This will show your employees that you take compliance seriously, which will help foster an atmosphere of trust in the workplace. If you’re not following the rules yourself, it’s unlikely that your employees will.

#3 - Establish Clear Rules, Regulations, and Expectations

It’s important to set clear rules and regulations for your employees to follow. Be sure to document any policies and procedures in writing, distribute them among all staff, and make sure everyone understands what is required of them. Create a system of enforcement for when the guidelines are not followed, such as corrective action or suspension for major infractions. Moreover, expecting employees to be compliant will help drive the point home.

#4 - Provide Proper Training To Employees

Proper training is essential for promoting employee compliance. Make sure all new employees receive training on applicable laws, regulations, and policies upon joining the team. This will help ensure that your employees are aware of their responsibilities from the start. For existing staff, regular refresher courses should be conducted to evaluate their understanding of compliance rules and regulations and update them on any new policies. Furthermore, make sure your team has access to the necessary tools, resources, and information needed for them to stay compliant.

#5 - Make Sure Everyone Understands The Consequences of Non-Compliance

Employers need to make sure all employees understand the consequences of not following compliance rules and regulations. Let them know that there may be serious legal, financial, or other repercussions if the rules are not followed. This will help ensure that employees take compliance seriously and think twice before disregarding any policies or procedures. However, it is very important to create the difference between a work environment that promotes compliance, from a toxic work environment where compliance is forced upon employees.

#6 - Use Communication Tools Like Email/Intranet/Newsletters For Regular Updates

Making sure everyone is up-to-date on the latest compliance rules and regulations can be a challenge. Using communication tools like email, intranet platforms, or newsletters to provide regular updates is an effective way to keep everyone informed. This will make it easier for employees to remain compliant and give them access to any new information they might need. For instance, if there are changes in the safety protocols, it’s important to make sure everyone is aware of them. 

#7 - Leverage Technology For Tracking Compliance Issues

Technology can also be used to track compliance issues. For instance, if you want to ensure that your employees are following safety protocols such as wearing face masks or washing their hands regularly, there are various tools available that will help you monitor and enforce compliance. These systems can alert supervisors when an employee is not compliant with a particular policy or procedure and take the necessary steps to address the issue. 

#8 - Encourage Open Dialogue Between Employees and Management

Employers need to encourage open dialogue between employees and management so that any concerns or questions about compliance can be addressed. This will not only help create a culture of trust but also make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the rules and regulations. Additionally, having an open channel of communication will allow employees to share any ideas or suggestions they might have for improving compliance.

#9 - Reward Compliant Behavior with Recognition or Incentives

Recognizing and rewarding compliant behavior is a great way to motivate employees to stay compliant. This could be anything from verbal recognition or public praise to tangible rewards such as bonus points, vouchers, or even prizes. Rewarding staff for their compliance will help promote the message that following protocols is important for the success of the organization and encourage others to do the same.

#10 - Perform Regular Audits or Reviews on Employee Compliance Status

It’s important to assess how well employees are following the rules and regulations. Regular audits or reviews should be conducted to check if everyone is compliant with the policies. The results of these reviews can then be used as a benchmark for improvement or further training if needed. Furthermore, it can help ensure that all employees are up-to-date on the latest compliance policies and regulations.

#11 - Monitor Industry Changes and Update Policies Accordingly

The compliance landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay on top of industry developments. Employers should regularly monitor changes in the regulations and amend their policies accordingly. This will help ensure that everyone remains compliant and there are no unforeseen issues or surprises when it comes to compliance requirements.

By following these tips, employers can create a work environment that promotes compliance and makes sure that everyone follows the rules and regulations. This will help create a safe, efficient, and productive workplace where everyone is working towards the same goal. Additionally, it can help protect employers from any potential legal issues or financial penalties due to non-compliance.