The Mid-Year HR Compliance Checkup

What to Review Now to Stay Audit-Ready Later

July is the perfect time for HR teams to pause, review, and course-correct before the busy fall season begins. A mid-year compliance checkup doesn’t have to be a heavy lift—but it can help you spot issues early, improve your documentation, and avoid legal risks down the line.

It’s not just about staying out of trouble—it’s about demonstrating that your HR function is organized, proactive, and aligned with evolving best practices.

Key Areas to Include in Your Mid-Year Checkup

✅ Employee Documentation

Audit a sample of employee files to ensure:

I-9s and tax forms are complete
Offer letters and job descriptions are up to date
Performance notes and signed acknowledgments are on file

✅ Wage & Hour Compliance

Pay practices should reflect:

Current federal, state, and local wage laws
Accurate classification of exempt vs. non-exempt employees
Proper overtime calculations and break policies

Misclassification errors are one of the most common—and costly—mistakes HR teams make.

✅ Mandatory Training

Are you up to date on required training like:

Harassment prevention?
Workplace safety?
Cybersecurity?

Track completions and create a plan for late Q3 or Q4 catch-up if needed.

✅ Handbook and Policy Reviews

Ensure your policies reflect how your company operates today—not how it operated two years ago. In particular:

Remote/hybrid work expectations
Leave policies (including state-mandated sick leave or caregiver protections)
Technology and social media usage

✅ Record Retention and Privacy

Purge outdated records in line with your retention policy. Confirm that employee data is stored securely and access is appropriately limited.

Final Thought

A mid-year checkup won’t solve every compliance challenge—but it can reveal the ones you can fix before they become bigger problems. Think of it as preventative care for your HR department: a quick pulse check that keeps you healthy, organized, and ahead of the curve.