New web system automates policy compliance for HR managers

Software solutions specialist FDH is launching an innovative web-based system to help HR managers meet a companyís duty of care on policy compliance, and to make staff training that much easier.

Especially with the Corporate Manslaughter Act tightening up this April*, making it easier for organisations to be prosecuted for work-related deaths, the spotlight will be firmly placed on the legal requirement for employees to not only read a companyís policies and procedures, but also understand them.

FDHís Saffron Cascade system is designed to automate the whole procedure, cutting down not only on the paperwork involved, but also providing an effective way of ensuring employees have understood the policies by requiring them to take an on-line test once they have read the information.

As the system is managed through the web, it also allows companies to tackle compliance remotely, therefore cutting down significantly on transport costs and the time taken in carrying out an induction.

The system can be fully customised for individual companies and will guide users through a series of simple steps, from the initial reading of a policy through to taking the test, with a pass or fail alert being automatically sent to the relevant manager. Audit trails of policy and user-history can also be maintained, making it far easier for companies and their employees to access the current versions of a policy or procedure.

Andrew Markwell, FDHís sales director comments: ìThe simplicity of the system makes it suitable for any size of business that wants to introduce a sounder policy compliance procedure, not only in case of a work-related death but also accidents where employees then attempt to sue the company.

ìCascade, which is fully secure through password-controlled access, can be a valuable addition to the human resources toolkit particularly as it simplifies what can be a very paper-heavy and time consuming procedure. Particularly with the impending changes to the Corporate Manslaughter Act bringing the need for sound health and safety policies and procedures starkly into focus, this latest technology will be a crucial element in assuring companies that they have a watertight system.î

For further information about Saffron Cascade contact FDH on 0114 281 6060.

* According to the Ministry of Justice the revised Corporate Manslaughter Law will come into force on 6 April 2008. Courts will look at management systems and practices across the organisation, providing a more effective means for prosecuting the worst corporate failures to manage health and safety properly.