What is small business compliance?

These three common forms of small business compliance may help you better understand the word and its implications. Unfortunately, the word "compliance" doesn’t do itself any favors from a punk rock standpoint. But it’s not as awful as it seems. Compliance in small business largely means adhering to regulation. Check out our article on regulation if you need the regulation > compliance > policy system equated to early ‘00s food pyramids.

Most mandatory compliance is common sense. For example:

1)    Taxes. Yeah, you have to pay those. If you don’t, you’ll get fined then owe the government even more money. If you still refuse to pay, then you get shut down and all your start-up costs go down the drain and depending on the scale of your tax evasion, you may be facing more than fines with potential jail time. So, just check the Taxes Paid box on your To Do List and you’re on your way to compliance!

Next, have a

2)  Safe Workplace! We all want this – you, your employees, the insurance agency… well maybe not them. Create clear policies to ensure compliance with local regulation. Don’t let your employees climb on ladders alone. Don’t let them use harsh chemicals in unventilated environments. Don’t let them run chainsaws in the back of house (or front of house) and if you can’t stop them from doing so, then make sure they’re wearing safety gloves and are properly trained on the machine. But DO NOT let your employees have power tools, unless if you and they are licensed to do so.

Have an

3) Equality Driven Workplace. Compliance means meeting expectations of diversity and accommodation. Customer and employee spaces should be accessible for all types of abilities and comfortable for folks of every age, race, and gender.

FUN FACT: According to OSHA’s website of most cited compliance failures, the thing we all really have to watch out for is scaffolding. I’m sure you know what it is, but I’ll tell you anyway. Scaffolding is a temporary structure made of materials like wood or steel that provides a stable, elevated platform for workers and materials during construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings and other human-made structures (1). So depending on your business either do or do not have scaffolding, and if you are going to have it make sure you’re complying with OSHA’s standards on the stuff.  

Like I said, most compliance is a no brainer. The tough work is creating the paperwork to ensure it happens. Reach out to your favorite business owner turned legal nerd for help ensuring compliance in your business so you can concentrate on the stuff you love.