In September 2023, the California-based healthcare agency LA Care Health Plan paid $130,000 in penalties and had to present a corrective action plan to HIPAA. The penalty stemmed from a processing error that enabled customers to access the data of other members. Exposed information included names, addresses, and member identification numbers. Regulatory bodies for most industries exist at an international, federal, and even company level. While it can be a nuisance to follow, the compliance regulations exist to ensure the physical and digital safety of personnel, customers, and data. It’s essential that compliance competency is understood and followed by current and incoming employees alike. This isn’t lost on HR, and most have turned to learning management systems (LMS) to drive employee growth and learning.
Why competency in compliance matters
Many regulatory bodies have regulations outlining the consequences of failure to comply. Fines can be hefty. In addition to the monetary consequences, news of non-compliance can also tarnish your reputation if news spreads.
Compliance also extends to include the physical safety of staff and customers. In 2018, OSHA fined the New York construction company Northridge Construction $224,620 after a fatal fall accident of one of its employees. Upon an investigation, OSHA determined Northridge Construction failed to follow a number of safety protocols, such as not enforcing the use of protective helmets in a construction zone.
How does a learning management system factor into this?
Compliance is the responsibility of every member of the workforce; not just the higher-ups. As shown in the case studies, a single case of non-compliance by a staff member or supervisor can have devastating consequences. The key is educating entire departments and rosters in a cost-effective manner while eliciting participation and engagement. LMS satisfies these parameters.
Here is how LMS fosters learning in the modern work environment.
Education via LMS improves memory retention
A tremendous advantage associated with LMS is its diverse media. Incorporate a combination of media to elicit the five senses. While the science still isn’t fully understood, it’s believed that the more senses you elicit, the more parts of your brain you stimulate. This is the theory established by a number of neuroscientists, including psychologist Dr. Richard E. Mayer, who published the comprehensive Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning.
With LMS, create compliance courses that incorporate multiple senses. Video tutorials, for example, incorporate both auditory and visual learning. Webinars with live demonstrations from the learners are a form of kinaesthetic learning. Furthermore, courses that also incorporate in-person learning create further opportunities for tactile and olfactory learning.
LMS increases learning cooperation
LMS affords employees flexible timetables in an anytime-anywhere learning format. All that’s required is a mobile device and Internet access. However, employees are still required to complete courses within designated due dates. Some employees may miss the deadline. This could be due to time constraints, forgetting, or simply not thinking it’s important. E-learning makes it easy for employees to complete the necessary coursework and demonstrate comprehension. HR that implements LMS uses these strategies for improved learning cooperation:
- Create micro-courses that can be completed in 5-10 minute increments
- Set reminders/alerts when a new module is available and again 24 hours before a module is due
- Create short quizzes and gamify them by awarding digital trophies based on scores.
Improve learning experience by assessing audit trails
Modern LMS measures metrics using relevant key performance indicators to measure student progress. The audit trail provides clues on performance, engagement, and overall enthusiasm. Make adjustments mid-course based on the data. The audit trail, for example, may indicate a high percentage of students switch on the optional text-to-audio when reading text portions of the course. This points to a preference for auditory learning. How can you use this data? Perhaps you can create an audio narration recapping the main compliance points before the conclusion of each module, or an audio option narrating the figures in an infographic.
Explain the consequences of non-compliance
Earlier, we discussed real-life case studies and the financial and reputational consequences of non-compliance. Outline one or two case studies from your industry as part of the course introduction. Explain how much the company was fined and other ramifications that ensued, such as PR damage control, lay-offs, etc. Most employees aren’t aware of how serious it is and the potential penalties. Furthermore, outline how this can impact employees directly (e.g. termination, reduced hours, etc.). Understanding how they can be adversely impacted can be a surprising motivator for employees to take their learning seriously.
Incorporate Dokeos LMS into your employee compliance training
From retail to life sciences, compliance exists in all industries. Most employees just want to do what they were hired for and don’t want to be bothered with formal and often confusing regulations. However, it comes with the job. Dokeos LMS, incorporates education in a format that makes e-learning somewhat more palatable. With Dokeos LMS, create a comprehensive course that empowers your staff with knowledge that’s applicable in real-world settings. Whether you are a multinational corporation or a small company, we support you in the creation of appropriate online training and assessment solutions.
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