Total Compliance Management (TCM) is a holistic approach to the organization's compliance management. Similar to TQM (Total Quality Management), it intertwines with the entire organization, its processes, corporate culture, and systems and addresses all levels of compliance. Thus, from the point of view of the object of conformity, TCM philosophy includes all essential areas of conformity:
Regulatory compliance
- Company regulations must comply with the relevant legislation, regulations, and legal framework
- Compliance means that companies abide by laws and self-imposed rules to avoid legal violations, liability, and reputation damage.
Employee compliance
- Compliance of the employment relationship with the requirements of labor law
- Matching the qualifications of employees and their work procedures
Workplace compliance
- The workplace must comply with safety and health requirements (OHS)
Device and tools compliance
- Instruments, tools, and other work equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or recommendations
Compliance of suppliers
- Compliance also arises for your company through vendors and other business partners
What are the basic pillars of Total Compliance Management?
The most important elements of a compliance management system include:
Compliance culture and communication
- Ensure that compliance is an integral part of the company culture
- It means corporate ethics and legal requirements are not empty items on a checklist, but rather compliance culture in action
- Make sure that everyone from the executive to the technical specialist understands why compliance is important
- Define personnel responsibilities.
Continuous improvements
- To ensure the success of the compliance, you should continuously review and improve it
- Outer or inner compliance conditions are in continuous change so the compliance needs to keep pace
- Regularly check all compliance aspects for weaknesses or improvements
Employee focus, employee first
- An interplay of tools and processes that ensure your company adheres to rules and laws
- Ensure full employee compliance - labor law, procedures, and qualifications
Process approach
- Internal policies, procedures, and guidelines that provide your employees with instructions about behavior in the workplace
- It covers compliance with external regulations (laws and guidelines) as well as internal standards and policies
- The overall responsibility for compliance lies with the management. However, it is advisable to set up a compliance department reporting to a compliance manager. The department needs the necessary resources (budget, staff, training, software, and tools) to ensure the establishment of compliance throughout the company
Effective communication
- Ensure effective and provable communication with all stakeholders
- Engage your employees
- Ensure formal messaging and communication with employees and other stakeholders
System approach, integrated systems
- Digital tools can be used to detect violations and identify risks.
Advice and supportive tools for Total Compliance Management
A compliance employee and vendor training
- Conduct regular employee and vendors training sessions
Use compliance management tools and applications
- Software facilitates your compliance management by bundling all important workflows on a digital platform – from the whistleblower system to the approval manager where gifts and invitations are given the green light.
- The more complex compliance environment you have, the more you need a compliance tool
Risk management
- Integrate your risk management processes with compliance
- After all: GRC is only one. risk, quality, security, and compliance management must be an integral part of the company management system
Compliance audits
- Audits help organizations to take control of the current status and compliance assessment information
- Audits are like a wingman that gives you, recommendations and tips for improvements