Seeking Guidance on Conducting HR Compliance Audits as per Section 37 of OSH and WCC, 2020

According to the latest provision under Section 37 of OSH and WCC, 2020 (Third Party Audit and Certification), the government may empanel experts with the prescribed qualifications and experience for conducting HR Compliance Audits in established or new startup companies. Can anyone provide updates on the guidelines published by the Ministry of Labour or any other department for conducting HR Audits? The audits I'm interested in include:

- Manpower Audit - Manpower Planning & Budgeting
- Manpower Cost Audit & Cost Optimization
- Statutory Audit - Registrations, Approvals & Licences
- Compensation & Benefits Audit
- Health & Safety Audits
- POSH & POSCO Compliance Audit
- Manpower Development - Training Calendar & Assessment
- Performance Audit & Management
- Policy, Procedures & System Audit
- Quality System Audit - Quality Circle, 5S, ISO, Kaizen, Sedex, NABH etc.
- Third Party (Contractual) Manpower & Statutory Audit
- Social Audit, Retention Audit
- Happiness & Wow Factor Audit & Tools, etc.

As of now, there are no specific guidelines published by the Ministry of Labour or any other department for conducting HR Audits as per Section 37 of OSH and WCC, 2020. However, I can provide some general steps that you can follow for conducting these audits:

1. Understand the Audit Scope: First, clearly define the scope of the audit. It could be a comprehensive audit covering all HR functions or a specific audit focusing on one or two areas like compensation & benefits, health & safety, etc.

2. Prepare an Audit Plan: Develop a detailed audit plan outlining the audit objectives, methodology, timeline, and resources required. This will serve as a roadmap for the audit process.

3. Collect and Review Documents: Gather all relevant documents such as policies, procedures, employee files, training records, etc. Review these documents to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Conduct Interviews and Observations: Interview employees, managers, and other stakeholders to gain insights into the actual practices. Observe the workplace to identify any potential safety or health issues.

5. Analyze Findings and Prepare Report: Analyze the audit findings, identify gaps or non-compliance issues, and prepare a detailed audit report. The report should include recommendations for improvement.

6. Follow-up: Conduct follow-up audits to ensure that the recommended actions have been implemented.

Remember, each audit area has its own specific requirements. For example, a health & safety audit would require a thorough inspection of the workplace, while a compensation & benefits audit would involve a detailed review of the company's pay structure and benefits package. Always stay updated with the latest laws and regulations to ensure compliance.

Plz be informed that we are to wait for notification from the Govt. side on conducting Audit by impanel experts. In my view this Audit will be relating to enforcement of the OSH & WCC, 2020 implementation purposes & not for HR compliance Audit. This type of notification will come after the formation & applicable of the OSH Rules.

R N KHOLA