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1. Tone at the Top to handle DEI issues the employees raise.
Executive management members should
It is critical for DEI success in an organisation. monitor its functioning to avoid any personal
Internal auditors should support senior leaders in biases by the committee members. Internal
achieving their DEI objectives and advise them on audit operations can drive discipline in DEI
risk considerations for engaging with increasingly initiatives by measuring strengths, deficiencies,
diverse and vigilant groups of internal and external and chuming metrics that walk the talk.
stakeholders. Doing pulse checks can help track DEI
progress and refine strategies based on the results. 5. Bench Marking and Trend Analysis

2. HR Policies Study and compare industry trends and
benchmarks and help management with
Review of HR Policies concerning DEI framework insights on DEI initiatives. Quantitative
and initiatives, specific DEI programmes, evaluating data from surveys can be analysed alongside
department-wise recruitment, learning, and qualitative feedback from interviews, providing
development activities, and design of the DEI road a holistic view. Identifying patterns across
map for the departments/functions.
various demographic groups helps pinpoint
3. DEI Policy and Procedure systemic DEI issues..

Reviewing the Company's Harassment and 6. Compliance
Discrimination Policies. To get there, many Confirm compliance with relevant diversity,
companies will need to update their recruitment equity and inclusion regulations. Review
and retention strategies, if not redesign. It can assist procedures for handling DEIB-related
in creating allies and driving an inclusive culture by complaints and incidents. Conduct a risk
fulfilling the roles concerning DEI in alignment with assessment for potential DEIB-related issues.
the organisation's human resources and legal policies.
Evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation
4. DEI Matrix and Committee Review strategies for DEIB.

Establish a DEI committee with capable and
independent leaders with an objective mindset

Handling Employee Complaints

Internal audit’s role in ensuring a safe reporting environment.

Key Areas of DEI DEI program/Policy Role of an Internal Audit

Promoting a Establish and advocate for a Internal audit assesses the
Whistleblower Policy formal whistleblower policy that effectiveness of these policies
outlines clear channels for safe to ensure that they are well-
and anonymous reporting communicated, accessible, and
trustworthy.

26 | INSIGHT EXCHANGE INTERNAL AUDIT TODAY