Compliance For Councils

Ensuring local government employees stay compliant and informed means covering key areas of public service responsibility. These 50 essential questions test knowledge in data protection, health & safety, equality, fraud prevention, and public accountability. How well does your team perform?

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
A) To regulate IT service providers
B) To control internet access in the workplace
C) To protect individuals’ personal data and privacy (Correct)
D) To allow businesses to share customer data freely

GDPR exists to ensure individuals have control over their personal data and that organisations handle it responsibly.

Question 2

Under GDPR, which of the following is considered ‘personal data’?
A) An individual’s name and email address (Correct)
B) A government department’s annual budget
C) A council office’s opening hours
D) A company’s profit and loss statement

Personal data includes any information that can directly or indirectly identify an individual, such as names, addresses, and ID numbers.

Question 3

What is the legal basis required to process personal data under GDPR?
A) Only if the individual is informed afterward
B) Only for marketing purposes
C) Any reason as long as the data is protected
D) Consent, legal obligation, or legitimate interest (Correct)

Organisations must have a valid reason for processing personal data, such as explicit consent, legal duty, or a legitimate business need.

Question 4

What should a council employee do if they receive a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that contains personal data?
A) Forward the request to the IT department
B) Consult the Data Protection Officer before responding (Correct)
C) Automatically release all requested data
D) Ignore the request if it looks suspicious

FOI requests and data protection laws must be balanced. Always seek advice before sharing personal data in an FOI response.

Question 5

How long does an organisation have to respond to a data subject access request (DSAR)?
A) Six months
B) Three months
C) One calendar month (Correct)
D) 14 days

Individuals have the right to access their personal data, and organisations must respond within one month unless an extension is justified.

Question 6

What is a ‘data breach’ under GDPR?
A) The unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure of personal data (Correct)
B) When an employee accidentally deletes a file
C) A scheduled IT system update
D) When someone changes their contact details

A data breach can happen when personal data is accessed or shared without permission, leading to potential harm.

Question 7

If a data breach occurs, when must it be reported to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)?
A) Immediately, regardless of impact
B) Only if requested by the individual affected
C) Within six months
D) Within 72 hours if it poses a risk to individuals (Correct)

If a breach poses a risk to individuals’ rights or freedoms, it must be reported to the ICO within 72 hours.

Question 8

Which of the following is a key GDPR principle?
A) Store all data indefinitely for future use
B) Data minimisation – only collect necessary data (Correct)
C) Allow data collection without informing individuals
D) Share personal data freely between departments

GDPR promotes data minimisation—organisations should only collect what is necessary and avoid excessive data storage.

Question 9

What is the penalty for a serious GDPR breach?
A) No penalty if the organisation apologises
B) A formal warning with no fine
C) A fine of £1,000 maximum
D) Up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover (Correct)

Severe GDPR breaches can result in heavy fines, ensuring organisations take data protection seriously.

Question 10

What should an employee do if they receive an email asking for personal data that looks suspicious?
A) Reply with the requested information
B) Open any attachments to check for details
C) Report it to IT security and do not respond (Correct)
D) Forward it to a colleague for advice

Phishing attacks often try to steal personal data. Always report suspicious emails to IT security before taking any action.

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the Equality Act 2010?
A) To promote uniformity in the workplace
B) To prioritise certain groups over others
C) To limit diversity in recruitment
D) To protect individuals from discrimination in the workplace and wider society (Correct)

The Equality Act 2010 ensures fair treatment and protects people from discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, gender, and disability.

Question 2

Which of the following is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010?
A) Religion or belief (Correct)
B) Employment history
C) Personality type
D) Hobbies and interests

Protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, and marriage/civil partnership.

Question 3

What does ‘inclusion’ mean in the workplace?
A) Giving all employees identical job roles
B) Allowing certain employees to work from home
C) Ensuring all employees feel valued, respected, and able to contribute (Correct)
D) Making sure teams are diverse but not necessarily engaged

Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to participate fully.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of indirect discrimination?
A) Telling offensive jokes about a colleague’s nationality
B) Making unwanted remarks about someone’s gender identity
C) Denying a promotion based on age
D) Requiring all employees to work full-time when this disadvantages those with disabilities (Correct)

Indirect discrimination occurs when a policy or rule applies to everyone but unfairly disadvantages certain groups.

Question 5

What is unconscious bias?
A) A deliberate act of discrimination
B) Automatic, unintentional judgments based on stereotypes (Correct)
C) A legal way to exclude candidates from certain groups
D) The process of hiring only people with similar backgrounds

Unconscious bias happens when we make snap judgments based on ingrained stereotypes without realising it.

Question 6

How can organisations promote diversity in recruitment?
A) Using inclusive job descriptions and ensuring fair hiring practices (Correct)
B) Hiring only candidates from underrepresented groups
C) Asking about personal beliefs in interviews
D) Avoiding diversity initiatives to remain neutral

Diversity in recruitment is about attracting and selecting the best candidates while ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Question 7

If an employee experiences discrimination, what should they do first?
A) Leave the company immediately
B) Ignore it and hope it stops
C) Report it to HR or a manager (Correct)
D) Retaliate against the person responsible

Reporting discrimination ensures the issue is addressed and creates a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

Question 8

What does ‘reasonable adjustments’ mean in relation to disability inclusion?
A) Ensuring that disabled employees do not work in customer-facing roles
B) Providing a flexible working schedule to all staff
C) Giving additional training to all employees
D) Making changes to remove barriers for employees with disabilities (Correct)

Reasonable adjustments, such as ergonomic seating or flexible hours, help employees with disabilities perform their roles effectively.

Question 9

What is the purpose of allyship in the workplace?
A) To actively support and advocate for underrepresented groups (Correct)
B) To increase social activities at work
C) To replace HR policies on diversity
D) To create separate networks for different groups

Allyship involves taking meaningful action to support colleagues from diverse backgrounds and challenge discrimination.

Question 10

What is a microaggression?
A) A serious form of workplace bullying
B) A subtle, often unintentional comment or action that reinforces stereotypes (Correct)
C) A disagreement between colleagues
D) A type of performance review

Microaggressions are everyday remarks or behaviours that may seem harmless but can make people feel excluded or devalued.

Question 1

What is considered fraud in a workplace setting?
A) Making a mistake on a report
B) Dishonestly obtaining a benefit by deception or omission (Correct)
C) Failing to attend a work meeting
D) Sharing a personal opinion in an email

Fraud involves intentional deception to secure an unfair or unlawful gain, often harming an organisation or individuals.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of bribery?
A) A team leader organising a staff social event
B) An employee giving a colleague a birthday gift
C) A manager giving an employee a bonus for good performance
D) A contractor offering money in exchange for securing a council contract (Correct)

Bribery occurs when something of value is offered to influence a decision or gain an unfair advantage.

Question 3

What is a ‘red flag’ that may indicate fraudulent activity in a council office?
A) Unexplained changes in financial records (Correct)
B) A staff member taking sick leave
C) A delay in an IT system update
D) A department changing office locations

Irregular financial transactions, missing records, or conflicts of interest are common warning signs of fraud.

Question 4

Which UK law primarily governs bribery and corruption?
A) The Data Protection Act 2018
B) The Equality Act 2010
C) The Bribery Act 2010 (Correct)
D) The Consumer Rights Act 2015

The Bribery Act 2010 makes it illegal to offer, receive, or facilitate bribes in both public and private sectors.

Question 5

What should an employee do if they suspect fraudulent activity in their workplace?
A) Ignore it unless it directly affects them
B) Report their concerns through the appropriate whistleblowing channels (Correct)
C) Confront the person suspected of fraud
D) Keep it confidential to avoid workplace tension

Whistleblowing policies protect employees who report fraud, helping maintain ethical standards in the workplace.

Question 6

What is ‘money laundering’?
A) A legal method of moving money between accounts
B) Converting money from one currency to another
C) Withdrawing large amounts of cash from a business account
D) Disguising illegally obtained money as legitimate funds (Correct)

Money laundering is the process of making criminal proceeds appear legally earned, often through multiple transactions.

Question 7

What does the ‘four-eyes principle’ mean in fraud prevention?
A) Assigning fraud investigations to a single person
B) Requiring managers to work in teams of four
C) Ensuring that at least two people review key financial decisions (Correct)
D) Allowing only senior employees to approve transactions

Having at least two people review financial decisions reduces the risk of fraudulent activity going undetected.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of procurement fraud?
A) Collusion between suppliers and staff to overcharge for goods or services (Correct)
B) A company failing to deliver an order on time
C) An employee taking a day off without permission
D) A supplier advertising a special promotion

Procurement fraud can occur when staff manipulate supplier contracts or accept bribes to influence purchasing decisions.

Question 9

What is ‘conflict of interest’ in the context of fraud and corruption?
A) An employee choosing a different supplier for a personal purchase
B) A disagreement between two departments
C) A council revising its policies on financial management
D) When an employee’s personal interests could improperly influence their professional decisions (Correct)

Conflicts of interest arise when personal gain could affect an employee’s ability to make impartial decisions.

Question 10

What is the main purpose of anti-fraud training in local government?
A) To ensure employees never make financial mistakes
B) To educate employees on recognising, preventing, and reporting fraud (Correct)
C) To provide legal advice for financial disputes
D) To eliminate all risks of fraud entirely

Fraud prevention training helps staff spot warning signs and act appropriately, protecting the organisation from financial and reputational damage.

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
A) To allow public authorities to keep all records confidential
B) To restrict journalists from investigating government activities
C) To give the public the right to access information held by public authorities (Correct)
D) To provide government officials with exclusive access to data

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act ensures transparency and accountability by allowing the public to request access to information from public bodies.

Question 2

Who can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request?
A) Anyone, regardless of nationality or reason for request (Correct)
B) Only employees of government agencies
C) Only journalists and researchers
D) Only UK residents

Any individual or organisation, including foreign nationals, can request information under the FOI Act.

Question 3

How long does a public authority have to respond to an FOI request?
A) Three months
B) One month
C) 14 calendar days
D) 20 working days (Correct)

Public authorities must respond within 20 working days unless an extension is justified for complex cases.

Question 4

Which of the following types of information can be refused under the FOI Act?
A) Meeting minutes from a public consultation
B) Personal data covered by GDPR (Correct)
C) Government spending reports
D) Financial records of local councils

The FOI Act allows authorities to withhold personal data, national security information, and commercially sensitive details.

Question 5

What should a public authority do if it refuses an FOI request?
A) Delete the requested records
B) Charge a fee for further review
C) Provide a valid reason and inform the requester of their right to appeal (Correct)
D) Ignore the request

If an FOI request is denied, the authority must explain why and inform the requester of their right to challenge the decision.

Question 6

What does ‘public accountability’ mean in local government?
A) Only responding to FOI requests from elected officials
B) Allowing decisions to be made without public input
C) Keeping all government records confidential
D) The responsibility of public officials to act transparently and ethically (Correct)

Public accountability ensures that government actions are transparent, fair, and subject to scrutiny by the public and media.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of proactive disclosure?
A) Publishing council spending reports online without waiting for an FOI request (Correct)
B) Releasing confidential emails upon request
C) Denying all FOI requests to maintain security
D) Only sharing information with registered journalists

Proactive disclosure means making key information available to the public without needing an FOI request.

Question 8

What is a key exemption under the FOI Act?
A) Public transport timetables
B) Information that would compromise national security (Correct)
C) Local election results
D) Weather forecasts

Some information, such as national security details or confidential legal advice, is exempt from FOI disclosure.

Question 9

What is the role of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding FOI?
A) To manage public sector hiring processes
B) To prevent public access to sensitive information
C) To approve or deny all FOI requests
D) To oversee compliance and handle complaints about FOI requests (Correct)

The ICO ensures public authorities follow FOI laws and investigates complaints about information access.

Question 10

What is the main benefit of the FOI Act for citizens?
A) It ensures citizens receive financial compensation from the government
B) It promotes transparency and allows people to hold public bodies accountable (Correct)
C) It restricts the amount of information available to the public
D) It allows only businesses to access government data

The FOI Act empowers citizens by enabling them to access government information and challenge decisions.

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
A) To give employers the right to discipline staff
B) To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees and the public (Correct)
C) To regulate working hours
D) To provide financial assistance to employees

This law places a duty on employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy working environment.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a ‘hazard’ in the workplace?
A) Eliminating all risks immediately
B) Recording incidents and accidents
C) Deciding who is responsible for health and safety
D) Loose electrical wires on the floor (Correct)

A proper risk assessment starts with identifying potential hazards before evaluating who may be affected and how to reduce risks.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a ‘hazard’ in the workplace?
A) Loose electrical wires on the floor (Correct)
B) A manager giving performance feedback
C) A staff member taking a break
D) A printer running low on paper

A hazard is anything that can cause harm, such as slippery floors, exposed wiring, or unsecured equipment.

Question 4

What must an employer provide to ensure employees’ health and safety?
A) A pay rise for working in hazardous conditions
B) Extended break times
C) Training, supervision, and appropriate safety equipment (Correct)
D) Optional guidelines for safety

Employers must provide proper training, safety equipment, and supervision to prevent accidents and injuries.

Question 5

If a fire alarm sounds in the workplace, what should employees do?
A) Investigate the source of the alarm before evacuating
B) Follow the designated evacuation route and go to the assembly point (Correct)
C) Gather personal belongings before leaving
D) Wait to see if it stops before reacting

In an emergency, acting quickly and following evacuation procedures can save lives.

Question 6

What is the correct way to lift a heavy object safely?
A) Bend from the waist and lift with your back
B) Lift quickly to avoid strain
C) Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs (Correct)
D) Hold your breath while lifting

Lifting with your legs, rather than your back, reduces the risk of injury.

Question 7

What should you do if you notice a spill on the floor in a shared workspace?
A) Clean it up or report it immediately (Correct)
B) Place a chair over it to block access
C) Ignore it if no one has slipped yet
D) Walk around it and assume someone else will handle it

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents. Quick action can prevent injuries.

Question 8

Which piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when handling hazardous chemicals?
A) A high-visibility vest
B) A paper face mask
C) A hairnet
D) Gloves, goggles, and protective clothing (Correct)

PPE such as gloves and goggles protect against harmful exposure to chemicals.

Question 9

What should you do if a colleague experiences an electric shock?
A) Move them to a different area immediately
B) Turn off the power supply before touching them (Correct)
C) Ignore the incident if they seem fine
D) Give them a glass of water

Turning off the power source before assisting prevents further injury to yourself and the affected person.

Question 10

How often should workplace fire drills be carried out?
A) Once every five years
B) Every week
C) Only after a fire incident
D) Regularly, at least once per year (Correct)

Fire drills ensure that employees know the evacuation procedures and can act quickly in an emergency.

Want a structured way to test and improve your staff’s knowledge? Our tailored quizzes cover all key areas. Get in touch to see how we can help!

Colin King – CEO of HR Quizzes