Flin Flon city council hopes an independent human resources audit will bolster efficiency within the municipality while ensuring compliance with all regulations.
Council has hired a consulting firm, Alberta-based Vigour Coaching and Consulting, to conduct the HR audit across the entire city operation.
“There’s so many regulations and human resources [rules] that have to be covered now by law,” said Coun. Karen MacKinnon. “And it’s also a way to look to see if we have too many people in one place, or [whether] we don’t have too many people, [and to] look at, do we have to restructure how the city is operating – everything from recruitment to personnel development, and look at HR specialist areas.”
Review
MacKinnon said the audit, which council hopes will begin in the near future, will include “a comprehensive review of the current state of HR policies, processes and practice.”
Data gathered in an initial needs analysis will “assist in establishing priorities and a recommended action plan going forward,” added MacKinnon, who introduced the motion to conduct the audit.
Coun. Colleen McKee, chair of the city’s Finance Committee, called the audit vital at a time of community downsizing and rising costs.
“I think it’s important to recognize that we need certain people maintaining certain functions,” said McKee, “and I think that this is going to help us get a handle on folks and where we have them structured, so I think it’s really important.”
The audit will cost the city an estimated $2,250, excluding taxes and travel. Vigour Coaching and Consulting is based in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
