Ten labour law checks to do before your next inspection

Most findings in a labour inspection are not about bad intentions. They are about missing paper. Walk through this list once a quarter and most of them disappear.

1. Appointment letters for every worker, with the job, wage and terms in writing.
2. Service records and ID cards kept up to date for everyone on the payroll.
3. Working hours and overtime recorded, within legal limits, and overtime paid at the right rate.
4. Wages paid on time, within the days the law allows after the wage period ends, with proof of payment.
5. Leave registers for casual, sick, annual and festival leave, with balances people can see.
6. Maternity benefit policies and payments that follow the law.
7. Festival bonus paid as your policy and the law require.
8. Provident fund and gratuity rules written down and followed, with records for every member.
9. Health, safety and welfare: first aid, safe workplaces and the committees your size requires.
10. Final settlements paid correctly and on time when people leave, with signed records.

Not sure where you stand? An HR audit checks all of this against your real files and gives you a short list of fixes, most urgent first.

This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Laws and rules change; check the current requirements for your company and industry.