Articles | Ethics & Compliance | LRN

The Self-Policing Environment: Getting Your Employees on Board - Interactive Services

Written by E&C Expert | Aug 26, 2016 4:00:00 AM

Strict compliance to government and industry regulations is crucial to keeping your business profitable. Many companies choose to outsource this responsibility while others keep it in-house. The choice to self-police is extremely cost efficient and effective if you do it right. Here is how to get your employees on board in making the self-policing environment an important part of everyone’s workday.

The first step in introducing self-policing in your facility is to define the concept for your employees. Teach them that it is the entire workforce’s responsibility to make sure all actions made by the business compliance with federal and industry regulations. Monitor events on the job in order to avoid violations. Stress that everyone take this mandate seriously as you make self-policing part of your company’s culture.

Teach compliance as a major part of your training program. Your employees cannot be expected to adhere to guidelines they do not know. Explain all policies in detail in writing. Prepare reminders in the form of meetings and workshops on a regular basis. Also, note that sometimes, compliance regulations change. Stay up-to-date on current standards to pass them along to employees.

Along with compliance expectations, give employees procedures on how to self-police at work. This includes researching, fact checking and the crucial aspect of self-reporting. It is frightening for employees to report compliance violations;a  employers must reassure staff that it is necessary and the only ethical choice. It is better to find the compliance problems in your workplace and report them to regulators rather than have the mistakes found by outside parties. Meet with your staff weekly to submit compliance reports.

Stick with your self-policing plans as your business grows. Aside from the obvious benefit of safeguarding against compliance violations, this program helps empower your employees as you trust them to take accountability.