What’s an HR Audit (and Why It’s Not as Scary as It Sounds)

If you're running a business and HR isn’t your full-time job, chances are you’ve wondered:

“Are we doing this right?”

“Are we even required to have that form?”

“Should we have... more structure?”

That’s where an HR Audit comes in.

At Patterson Consulting Group, we don’t believe in scare tactics or overwhelming reports. We believe in clarity, confidence, and helping you figure out what’s working, what’s risky, and where you can tighten things up.

Think of it as a wellness check for your HR function, with a dose of strategy.

So What Is an HR Audit?

An HR Audit is a deep but approachable review of how your people practices stack up. It’s about finding opportunities to build smarter systems and align HR with how your business is really growing.

Common areas covered in an HR audit include:

• Organization & Structure

• Hiring & Recruitment

• Compensation & Benefits

• Policy & Compliance

• Employee Relations

• and more...

Our goal? Help you sleep better at night and feel more in control during the day.

What to Expect from a PCG HR Audit

You won’t get a massive binder or a list of generic compliance to-dos. You’ll get a practical, focused assessment of where you stand—and what to do next.

We deliver:

• A summary of what’s working and what needs attention

• 3 to 5 actionable recommendations aligned with your business goals

• Clear direction on how to strengthen your people practices

• A helpful starting point for your broader HR strategy

No jargon. No judgment. Just insight and clarity.

How It Works

Most HR Audits with PCG take about 6 to 8 weeks. The process is simple and designed to be as painless (and dare we say helpful?) as possible.

1. Kickoff Call: We start by getting to know your business and your team. What’s working? What’s been duct-taped together? What keeps you up at night?

   
   

2. Document Review: We take a look at your existing materials—handbooks, job descriptions, policies, onboarding docs, training records, and more. If it touches your employees, we probably review it.

   
   

3. Gap Analysis: We compare what’s in place to what should be in place, based on your size, structure, compliance requirements, and business goals.

   
   

4. Debrief and Recommendations: You’ll get a plain-English debrief and a prioritized list of recommendations. Realistic, tailored, and designed to help you take action.

   
   

Why Should You Do One?

Whether you're a small startup or an established organization, there are real benefits to conducting a thoughtful HR audit:

• Reduce legal and compliance risk

• Strengthen employee trust through transparent practices

• Improve the onboarding experience and retention

• Ensure policies reflect your current culture and goals

• Build a roadmap for future HR and people strategy

This isn’t about doing everything “by the book.” It’s about helping your business run smoother, smarter, and with fewer fires to put out.

Ready to Take a Look Under the Hood?

If you’re unsure what’s working in your HR world or where to even start, an audit is often the perfect first step. We promise it’s not scary; it might even be a little fun.

Schedule a call with our team and let’s see what’s possible.