Acculturating for Policy Compliance

The current issue of Workforce Week highlights the fact that transactional and acculturation onboarding are really inseparable when it comes to compliance. Reducing risk by making sure that all forms are completed correctly and signed appropriately is only part of the picture. Ensuring that employees (especially managers) fully understand what is expected of them and that they are motivated to comply is essential.

Author Stephen Paskoff reveals that the federal government expects more than signed policy acknowledgements from companies that are looking to sidestep liability for an employee's unethical or illegal behavior. Instead, the U.S. Sentencing Commission is looking for practical, firm enforcement and an overall culture that promotes compliance. Encouraging appropriate behavior has to be an obvious priority within a company's structure and practices. So, if "on the ground" leadership is being pressured to ignore policy for the sake of getting things done or if some employees are routinely given a pass on questionable actions, this must change.

Acculturation Onboarding Can Help

Having new hires attend a training class doesn't qualify as putting forth a sufficient effort on the part of employers. Presenting information is great, but following up and making sure it is absorbed is crucial. With the AllegroHR Acculturation Portal, it is possible to analyze new hire's retention and understanding of any and all company policies from permissible technology use to anti-harassment and safety training. Scheduling these follow up tests and surveys over an extended period of time and providing refresher courses as needed is one example of how to take compliance seriously.

The information should always be accompanied with practical advice on what to do if the employee witnesses a violation of policy. HR and management must have an action plan in place that they follow rigorously whenever a worker makes a report. There should also be proactive steps that the company takes to monitor and ensure compliance at all levels (with no one exempt from the rules).

Since the AllegroHR acculturation platform is highly adaptable, video and interactive modules may be included to provide "real life" examples or case studies of what happens when an employee fails to comply with rules. Seeing the far ranging impact on the company, coworkers, and one's own job can help make new hires take this more seriously - but only if they see the same attitude reflected in the actions and decisions of management.