If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance. – Former US Deputy Attorney General, Paul McNutty

Are we overcompliant? Maybe, maybe not. Some days, it feels like we are, in fact, it can be quite overwhelming. Other days we watch what is going on around us and feel that we are only just scratching the surface of compliance.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has brought basic hygiene principles to the forefront, such as hand hygiene, coughing etiquette, social distancing and honesty when it comes to our health and wellbeing. But wind the clock back 3 months, and most adults were not aware of how to wash their hands correctly. Yes, compliance, like many things, becomes important in times of crisis, but the trick is how to keep on top of things when not in a state of emergency.

If we think about compliance training more as baseline training, or mandatory training, it starts to give it a slightly more positive feel. In this article, we talk about the importance of compliance training and why it is not just a tick and flick.

What is workplace compliance training?

Workplace compliance training is the glue that allows an organisation to work towards the greater good. It talks about the importance of tested and proven principles such as do unto others and prevention is better than cure. It is the catalyst for engagement which boosts growth and productivity while keeping things in order. Moreover, compliance training communicates the core values of an organisation to the employees when they start with you and on an ongoing basis thereafter. Workplace compliance policies are a set of rules that are to be learned about and followed during and after workplace compliance training. These compliance policies not only tell what the responsibilities of an employee are but also what their rights, entitlements, and avenues are in case they are faced with workplace misconduct. Yes, in many cases, we are protecting 99 people from that one rogue employee who can bring down everyone in one fell swoop!

What makes compliance training different from other forms of office training?

Workplace compliance training is the most important training, yet it is often the one that is most overlooked. Compliance training is needed from the recruitment process until the employee leaves an organisation. In fact, records need to be maintained in Australia for up to two years when it comes to the Fair Work Act and potential claims for bullying, some real and some frivolous.

What is the importance of compliance training at work?

Compliance training helps individuals across an organisation. Employees who are trained know what kind of behaviours are not welcome in an organisation. They also know the right steps to take in the event that they are exposed to any form of menacing behaviour by anyone pertaining to the organisation. A company with a compliant culture instils trust and positivity amongst employees, and this increases a sense of responsibility and productivity, making things easier for the managers and team leaders. Fewer compliance issues will help the human resources invest time in other growth-enhancing activities rather than deal with breaches in safety, invasion of privacy, and claims for bullying, harassment, and discrimination, often which come with heavy penalties when vicarious liability is at play.

What is covered by workplace compliance training?

Compliance training is wide and deep; it includes everything from physical safety, social safety, health and well-being to financial compliance and sector-specific compliance and registration requirements. For instance, we at Sentrient provide an end to end, Saas, based workplace compliance system that helps tackle the following items:

However, across hundreds of different clients and tens of thousands of users, there are many sector-specific courses and resources that go well beyond this. That is why having a system that enables you to distribute digital content and record its completion is key when it comes to compliance.

Is compliance training a complicated process?

It can be if you do not have the right knowledge, tools and guidance. Interestingly we are seeing a dramatic shift from larger organisations resorting to simpler, easier and more cost-effective online systems to manage compliance. The days of 12-week implementation projects and countless hours of configuration have gone. It is all about adoption and completion, and without that, the journey is one of pain and frustration. On the other hand, some smaller businesses can overlook the importance of compliance and are left exposed because, in the eyes of the law, no business is too small or too large for legal compliance, it is a legal and ethical requirement of today’s global and culturally diverse workplace.

Pain-free compliance

Sentrient aims to deliver a pain-free online compliance platform. Its distinct advantage is that it is simple to implement, easy to use and reliable. The system itself has taken on the persona of its client base, who are all striving to create safe, inclusive and respectful organisations. In the past three years alone, Sentrient has delivered 100% compliance for some of Australia’s most reputable organisations, both small and large. While Sentrient is the #1 online workplace compliance system, and most organisations utilise the platform and training, there has been a real trend towards organisations with large workforces licensing content that can also be consumed through third-party platforms.

If you want to start making your business compliant or want a simpler and more cost-effective approach to your workplace relations and safety program, please call us on 1300 040 589 or email us at info@sentrient.com.au.

You can also take a free demo here.