Social Audits
Candlefocus EditorSimply put, social audit measures the social responsibility performance of a company. It is mainly used as an internal review task of the company with the purpose to measure and improve the social performance of the company in a structured manner. Social Audit is being used by an increasing number of companies worldwide to ensure that their actions are socially responsible and in line with their commitments to society.
In many cases, the insights that companies gain from social auditing can help them affirm the effectiveness of their sustainability program. Additionally, social auditing can identify areas for improvement, allowing a company to make productive changes in their procedures and operations that can result in a positive impact on the environment and communities.
When conducting a social audit, it is important to consider a range of criteria and to establish a system for measuring performance for each factor. Depending on the kind of company, some of the criteria that should be assessed during the audit process include safety in the workplace, labor practices, employee rights, environmental protection, community relations, and human rights.
In addition to traditional audits, many companies are also using effective tools like self-assessment social auditing, monitoring of labor rights, stakeholder consultation, and non-government organization (NGO) involvement. These tools can help companies create comprehensive sustainability strategies and adjust business operations to better meet their social responsibility objectives.
Overall, social auditing helps companies meet their social responsibility goals by allowing them to get a clearer picture of their social performance. The insights gained through various audits can help companies seek improvement in their operations while still ensuring that they remain financially sound. This can ultimately lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty and be a part of a larger foundation for success.