Rules is Rules!

Ah, compliance – that unexciting but essential part of the HR world. It’s the part of your job that’s less about celebrating success and more about ensuring no one accidentally sets the office toaster on fire – or worse, breaches GDPR.

Whether it’s health and safety regulations, data protection policies, or industry-specific standards, compliance is the glue that holds any well-run organisation together. But let’s be honest: how many of your team members actually remember those hours-long training sessions from six months ago?

That’s where compliance quizzes step in, saving the day like an HR superhero.

Onboarding is a crucial time to lay the groundwork for compliance. New hires are like sponges, ready to absorb information about your company’s policies and procedures. Incorporating compliance quizzes into the onboarding process ensures that your newest team members start on the right foot – understanding the rules, their importance, and how to follow them in practice.

Not only does this approach set clear expectations from day one, but it also helps avoid those awkward ‘Oops, I didn’t know I couldn’t do that’ moments. A quick and engaging compliance quiz during onboarding reinforces critical points far better than a forgettable monologue ever could.

Compliance quizzes are short, sharp tests designed to help employees understand, remember, and apply the rules that keep your organisation running smoothly. They cover everything from legal obligations and safety protocols to ethical behaviour in the workplace. Think of them as the humble guardians of your company’s integrity. 

Unlike lengthy PowerPoint presentations or dry policy documents, these quizzes are interactive, engaging and – dare we say it – a little bit fun. They’re tailored to cover key compliance topics in a way that ensures employees don’t just skim the information – they actually learn it. 

The magic lies in their simplicity.

1. Bite-Sized Brilliance

Instead of overwhelming employees with a tidal wave of rules, compliance quizzes deliver essential information in manageable chunks. A quick five-minute quiz can reinforce what hours of training struggled to achieve.

2. Active Recall in Action:

Research shows that answering questions helps retain knowledge far better than passive listening. Compliance quizzes get employees actively thinking about the rules, rather than just nodding along during a workshop.

3. Instant Feedback

Got a question wrong? No problem – compliance quizzes should provide instant feedback. Employees can immediately learn from their mistakes, turning an “oops” moment into an “aha!” one.

4. Consistency Across the Board

Every employee gets the same set of questions, ensuring that no one misses critical details. It’s compliance training, streamlined and standardized.

The key to a successful compliance quiz lies in its design. Here are a few golden rules:

• Keep It Relevant: Don’t bombard employees with irrelevant details. Focus on the rules that matter most to your organisation and their roles.
• Repeat When Necessary: Compliance isn’t a one-and-done deal – new regulations come along all the time. Regular quizzes keep policies fresh in employees’ minds, preventing those “wait, what’s the procedure again?” moments.
• Use Real-Life Scenarios: Questions grounded in day-to-day work situations make compliance feel less like a lecture and more like practical advice.
• Add a Dash of Humour: Who says compliance can’t be light hearted? A well-placed joke or amusing scenario can make dry topics far more palatable.

Here are few illustrative questions to help lighten the load

Question: If the office microwave catches fire, what’s the first thing you should do?

a) Grab marshmallows for an impromptu party.
b) Run out of the building waving your arms.
c) Use the nearest fire extinguisher and alert your fire warden.
d) Pretend you didn’t see it and hope it goes away.

Answer: c) Use the nearest fire extinguisher and alert your fire warden.
Explanation: While marshmallows are tempting, your priority is safety, not snacks.

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Question: Which of these is the worst password to use for your work account?

a) Password123
b) iloverules1984
c) MyDogAteMyHomework!
d) None of the above, passwords are overrated anyway.

Answer: a) Password123
Explanation: Password123 is a hacker’s dream. Always go for something strong and unique – your dog will appreciate the shout out.

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Question: A vendor offers you a free holiday to Bali if you sign their contract. What should you do?

a) Say, “Let me just grab my swimsuit!”
b) Politely decline and report the offer to your manager.
c) Ask if they can throw in first-class flights.
d) Counter with, “How about a coffee instead?”

Answer: b) Politely decline and report the offer to your manager.
Explanation: As tempting as Bali sounds, maintaining integrity is priceless (and keeps you out of jail).

OK, OK, I know we don’t want to go overboard but you get the idea!

Let’s not beat around the bush: compliance is often seen as a box-ticking exercise to avoid fines, lawsuits, or regulatory trouble. But it’s so much more than that.

A culture of compliance builds trust among employees, customers, and other stakeholders. It shows that your organisation takes its responsibilities seriously. It protects your team from risks they might not even be aware of and ensures everyone feels safe and supported at work. And when compliance is baked into your company culture, employees are far more likely to embrace it as second nature rather than an annoying chore.

Compliance might never top the list of office thrills, but compliance quizzes can make it a little less of a slog. They turn what could be a dry, forgettable process into something engaging, memorable, and – dare we say – effective.

So, next time you’re updating your compliance strategy, why not throw a quiz or two into the mix? Your team will thank you, your compliance officers will breathe a sigh of relief, and your organisation will be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come its way.

After all, when it comes to compliance, knowledge is power – and quizzes are the ultimate knowledge-delivery system.

Colin King – CEO of HR Quizzes