Start 2026 Strong: Why Every Business Needs a New Year HR Audit
The start of a new year always brings reflection, planning, and a desire to “start fresh.” And just like we reassess our personal goals, it’s just as important to take a step back and check in on the “people side” of the business.
Employment laws shift, workplaces evolve, and teams change, and before you know it, HR processes that were perfectly fine a year ago might now be outdated, risky, or simply not supporting your people the way you’d like.
An HR audit is a simple, proactive way to make sure you’re entering 2026 confident, compliant, and truly set up for success.
Let’s talk about HR overwhelm for a second.
I’ve spent most of my career helping organizations build strong, people-centered cultures, and the theme I hear over and over is this:
“I don’t know what I don’t know.”
And that’s completely normal.
At RidgewayHR, my goal is to remove overwhelm. A New Year Audit gives you clarity about what’s working well, what needs attention, and what small tweaks can make a big impact in the year ahead.
So what is an HR audit, really?
The easiest way to think about it is like an annual health check-up for your HR foundation. We take a thoughtful, people-centered look at your:
policies
documentation
compliance
onboarding
employee experience
…with a focus on helping you run your business confidently and in alignment with your values—not just the legal checklist.
What’s included in a RidgewayHR New Year Audit
You’ll receive a comprehensive review of key HR areas, including:
✔ Employee Handbook & Policies
✔ HR Process Review
✔ I-9 Audit & Required Documentation
✔ New Hire & Onboarding Forms
✔ Recordkeeping & Data Privacy Practices
Additional recommended areas:
✔ Employee classification (exempt/non-exempt)
✔ State & federal requirements and postings
✔ Compensation consistency
✔ Retention timelines
✔ Safety & training documentation
Why January?
This time of year is already full of planning—budgets, staffing, scheduling, benefits—so it’s the perfect moment to make sure everything behind the scenes is aligned with current laws, best practices, your growth goals and your culture. Small issues are always easier (and cheaper) to catch now rather than later.
Common things we discover
Most organizations are surprised at how simple some fixes can be. We often catch:
outdated policies
missing documents
expired I-9s
misclassified roles
missing postings
old job descriptions
These things happen all the time, and they’re usually very quick to correct once we identify them.
And the best part? You’ll walk away with a clear plan.
You’ll receive:
✨ Prioritized recommendations
✨ Compliance updates
✨ Timeline guidance
✨ Suggested fixes
✨ Templates where appropriate
Nothing overwhelming. Just clarity and action. Your people are your business. Compliance protects your business, but more importantly, it protects your people.
Ready to begin the year with clarity?
Email me directly at rachel@ridgewayhr.com
or book a short intro call 👉 https://calendly.com/ridgewayhr/30min
Let’s make 2026 your strongest year yet—for your business, and for your people.
