26 Free Compliance Training Resources for 2023
We’ve created a list of compliance training resources to help you educate your employees about safety guidelines, work policies, and lawful requirements so your organization can operate effectively and legally. These courses aim to protect your organization from any liabilities and legal actions while providing a safe space and positive company culture to your employees.
1. Sexual Harassment in the workplace
EdApp’s Sexual Harassment in the workplace educates employees about the different forms of sexual harassment that can take place at work. It first defines what sexual harassment is and provides concrete examples and scenarios which learners can identify with.
It also talks about the two types of sexual harassment which are Quid pro quo and hostile work environment. This course will also uncover the negative effects of sexual harassment on our mental health and well-being. Lastly, it teaches learners about the appropriate responses in the event of a sexual assault.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: Definition of sexual harassment, types of sexual harassment, responses to sexual assault
2. New Hire Safety Orientation
The New Hire Safety Orientation course by EdApp is perfect for getting new employees on board with the company’s safety program. This onboarding training equips them with the health and safety hazards that come with their job and helps them avoid any work-related risks.
This course is suited for employees in the general industry and covers a wide range of topics, such as safe driving, hearing conservation, PPEs, safe lifting techniques, and many more. It also teaches learners about hazard communication and the proper emergency response depending on the situation.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: Safety Introduction & information, emergency action plan, workplace safety
3. HIPAA Compliance Training
All medical organizations must be compliant with HIPAA standards to make sure that patients receive the highest quality healthcare customer service and avoid any legal disputes.
Created in partnership with Improvement Sciences, this EdApp course highlights the importance of HIPAA, the type of information that must be protected, and best practices for dealing with threats and privacy breaches. It also provides knowledge checks and sample scenarios wherein learning can be gauged and immediately applied. At the end of this course, a glossary of useful resources is provided for reference.
4. Cyber Security
EdApp’s Cyber Security course emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity and educates learners about cyberattacks. It covers the different types of cyber threats such as malware, social engineering, and a man-in-the-middle attack.
It also provides some safe practices when using the internet and teaches learners how to safeguard sensitive information and identify malicious websites so employees know what to do in those situations.
Cost: Free
Created By: EdApp
Scope: Different kinds of cyberattacks, avoiding phishing, safe internet use, safely using emails
5. Let's Kick COVID-19!
EdApp partnered with ImSci to educate individuals on facts about COVID-19 and the precautions you can take to protect yourself and others. It starts by discussing what the virus is and how it came to be a pandemic.
This course will then teach some personal prevention strategies, such as proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and physical distancing. More importantly, it includes a lesson on workplace guidance so that employees are aware of the safety protocols at work and the steps to follow when someone shows symptoms of infection.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: Facts about novel coronavirus, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, physical distancing, workplace guidance
6. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
In this course, learners will uncover the different diversity concepts and how they factor in the workplace. As our cognitive process is very much involved with the perceptions we have, this course will teach the importance of analyzing reactions to your environment and social interactions.
Here, learners will also discover the best practices for diversity and inclusion and will learn about initiatives they can implement at work. This course is free for anyone to take and takes approximately 9 hours to complete.
Cost: Free
Created by: Coursera
Scope: Diversity concepts, cognitive processes, diversity & inclusion best practices
7. Understanding the GDPR
This course by FutureLearn equips learners with the basic information they need to know about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Among the topics covered are the principles of GDPR, data subjects’ rights, and the obligation of data controllers. They will also learn about the liabilities and sanctions involved when a breach or violation is committed.
Cost: Free
Created by: FutureLearn
Scope: General principles and basic concepts of GDPR, rights of data subjects, data controller obligations, enforcement & compliance mechanisms
8. Code of Conduct Training for an Ethical Workplace
This course by EVERFI can help you strengthen your organization’s reputation and establish a culture of integrity. It educates employees on the ethical guidelines they need to abide by at work with every interaction and transaction. It tackles topics, such as financial integrity, intellectual property, and workplace ethics.
Cost: Contact EVERFI for pricing
Created by: EVERFI
Scope: Protecting company information, financial integrity, intellectual property, reporting breaches
9. Drug-free Workplace
Thomson Reuters built this course to emphasize the importance of having a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace due to the ill effects that they can bring.
In this course, learners will be made aware of the principles behind a drug-free workplace with the aim of getting their commitment to this policy. Among the topics discussed include, substance abuse testing, drug-free workplace policy violations, and employee assistance programs.
Cost: Contact Thomson Reuters for pricing
Created by: Thomson Reuters
Scope: Overview of drug-free workplace compliance, substance abuse testing, substance-abuse awareness, drug-free workplace policy violations
10. Social Media Awareness
This compliance training course by DeltaNet delves into the many uses of social media at work and the risks involved. It highlights the importance of following your organization’s social media policy and code of conduct to know the expectations when conducting yourself online. It includes realistic situations that employees may find themselves in to have a better understanding of the topics.
Cost: Contact DeltaNet for pricing information
Created by: DeltaNet
Scope: Benefits and dangers of social media, following your organization’s code of conduct, protecting confidential information
11. Fire Safety
EdApp’s Fire Safety course is the perfect training material to deploy as it provides learners with basic knowledge about fire safety and prevention in the workplace.
It starts by introducing the Fire Triangle which teaches learners how to identify the different elements that can cause a fire as the first step towards prevention. They’ll also learn about the proper placement and use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: The Fire Triangle, workplace fire safety, proper use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets
12. OSHA for Workers (US only)
To support you in your compliance, EdApp’s OSHA for Workers course outlines worker’s rights, OSHA inspection processes, and OSHA’s health and safety standards, which both employers and employees should always follow.
It also goes into detail on the different ways your workers can file a safety hazard complaint, even going into the specifics of whistleblower protections.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: Workers’ rights, OSHA inspection processes, OSHA’s health and safety standards, filing a safety hazard complaint, whistleblower protections
13. Sensitivity Training in the Workplace
Another compliance training course offered in Universal Class, Sensitivity Training in the Workplace is created to develop cultural competence in organizations. It equips your learners with the proper approach in dealing with generational diversity and helps them develop an understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. Its video lessons are only accessible via a web browser.
Cost: $50 USD (no certification) - S75 USD (with certification)
Created by: Universal Class
Scope: Introduction to diversity and sensitivity training, recognizing differences in the workplace, understanding gender, generational diversity & LGBT sensitivity training, resolving conflicts in the workplace
14. Confined Space Construction - OSHA Certification Online
OSHA Pros Online’s course on confined space construction presents general information about working on confined spaces like utility vaults, tanks, sewers, and pump stations. It covers in-depth topics discussing the enhanced regulatory compliance of OSHA on confined space areas in construction, safety procedures to avoid injury, and emergency and rescue plans.
Cost: $159 USD
Created by: OSHA Pros
Scope: OSHA regulatory compliance for Confined Space areas in Constructions, safety procedures to avoid injury, action plan in case of emergency
15. Workplace Active Shooter Training
This course by Compliance Training Group is one that you can use for corporate training to prepare workers for one of the most violent incidents that can happen in the workplace.
Lessons in this training were created by military veterans and law enforcement groups so you can be assured that the information is credible and will help during an active shooter incident. Among the topics included are incident identification, self-protection tips, training drills, and more.
Cost: Available upon request
Created by: Compliance Training Group
Scope: Awareness training drills, self-protection, knowing what to look for and how to react in an active shooter incident
16. Construction Ethics and Compliance
Another free compliance course on the Internet is Construction Ethics and Compliance. This course is hosted on the FutureLearn platform and teaches teaches trainees how to stay ethical and compliant in the construction industry.
Cost: Free
Created by FutureLearn
Scope: Understanding ethics and its definition, law and compliance, methods for ethical decisions and dilemmas
17. Anti Money Laundering (AML) in Canada
Anti-money laundering courses for a wide variety of countries are available at the Banker’s Academy website. As an example, Anti Money Laundering (AML) in Canada is available for free and is targeted to legislation specific to this country.
These informal eLearning lessons don’t require any sort of special login and is presented in slides with text and guided voice overs. Topics include definition of money laundering, goals, and legislation on AML.
Cost: Free
Created by: Banker's Academy
Scope: History of AML, money laundering definition, goals of money laundering
18. Remote Worker: Safety, Health And Security
Even though remote workers work in the comfort of their home, it's still the general duty of their employer to ensure that they are in a safe and secure remote work environment as mandated by OSHA. This online training by FreeTrainingPower provides videos on how organizations can help their employees prepare their work environment and avoid any safety hazards. It's a comprehensive training that covers many topics, such as fire safety, ergonomics, personal security, and cyber security.
Cost: $19.95 USD
Created by: FreeTrainingPower
Scope: Workspace organization, avoiding hazards and accidents, security measures
19. Use of Assets & Technology: Protecting Organizational Assets
This course emphasizes how crucial it is to ensure that employees company resources should only be used for work and not for personal reasons. This 10-minute microlearning course will uncover the consequences and impact of this practice so employees can understand why this policy is put in place.
Cost: Available upon request
Created by: NAVEX Global
Scope: When to use organizational assets, impact of using organizational resources for personal use
20. Free Anti-bribery Training Module
Skillcast has partnered with Transparency International UK to develop this free compliance training. Employees who take this course will have a greater grasp of bribery laws in compliance with the UK Bribery Act, and they'll also gain knowledge of the penalties of breaking the law.
They'll learn how to prevent and resist bribery more effectively especially in challenging situations. While this course is free, you'll need to contact Skillcast to have access to it.
Cost: Free
Created by: Skillcast
Scope: Definition of bribery, UK Bribery Act, preventing and resisting bribery
21. Cybersecurity Awareness
Available in EdApp, Cyber Security Awareness is a corporate compliance training course that provides your employees with a comprehensive guide on recognizing and preventing different kinds of cyber-attacks and threats. This course begins with an introduction to injection attacks, broken authentication, and session management that are vital in understanding the common ways your employees can be vulnerable to attacks.
Cost: Free
Created By: EdApp
Scope: Common types of cybersecurity attacks, common malpractices on cybersecurity, sensitive data exposure, guideline on online security
22. Workplace Bullying Training for Employees
Offered by SafetyHub, the Workplace Bullying Training for Employees is created to combat workplace bullying which has a significant impact on not only the victims' work performance but also their personal lives. Its lessons describe workplace bullying, offer strategies for preventing it, provide a checklist for evaluating a good bullying policy, and conclude with a list of resources.
Cost: Free (within a trial period), Paid subscription price available through a quote request
Created by: SafetyHub
Scope: Bullying, bullying prevention, effective bullying policy, bullying response
23. GDPR Training
GDPR Training is a corporate compliance training course available on reed.co.uk that gives your employees a comprehensive understanding of GDPR, which is mandated by the EU government. This course thoroughly discusses the basics, principles, and structure of GDPR. It also covers key aspects of GDPR such as the people involved, including their rights, responsibilities, and obligations in complying with the law.
Cost: £10 EUR
Created by: reed.co.uk
Scope: Understanding GDPR, rights and breaches, responsibilities and obligations
24. Evacuation Plan
Evacuation Plan is another free office safety training course offered by EdApp. This course is designed to be used as a template for your company's evacuation plan. It starts with a lesson about different evacuation conditions such as fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. Then it provides a route guide that you can use as a reference in creating an evacuation plan specific to your company’s floor plan.
Cost: Free
Created by: EdApp
Scope: Evacuation conditions, route and floorplan, employee evacuation roles
25. Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work
Hosted on Coursera, the University of Virginia offers the course on Foundations of Diversity and Inclusion at Work. This corporate compliance training course educates your employees on issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusivity that are reflected in the workplace, and provides strategies on how to address these challenges.
Cost: Free
Created by: Coursera
Scope: Understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations, best practices in communicating and interacting in a diverse workplace
26. Sensitivity Training in the Workplace
This course aims to provide your employees with knowledge and understanding of concepts on diversity and sensitivity, especially in diverse workplace settings. It contains lessons that help identify various differences among individuals present in any organization. It also equips your learners with the proper approach in dealing with generational diversity and helps them develop an understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Cost: Free
Created by: Universal Class
Scope: Introduction to diversity and sensitivity training, recognizing differences in the workplace, understanding gender, generational diversity & LGBT sensitivity training, resolving conflicts in the workplace
Organizations in heavily regulated industries know how critical having continuous compliance training for employees is.
Guaranteeing that your team members are well-versed in the ever-evolving rules and regulations is not just a legal requirement, but also a crucial component of maintaining a competitive edge.
But here's the good news: Compliance training doesn't have to be a costly endeavor. In fact, there’s a wealth of free corporate compliance training resources available that can empower your workforce.
What is compliance training?
Compliance training is the educational and instructional programs delivered to employees within an organization to guarantee that they understand and adhere to relevant laws and regulations in the industry.
The primary goal of compliance training is to minimize legal and ethical risks by promoting responsible and lawful employee behavior.
Key aspects of compliance training typically include:
- Legal Requirements: Training programs cover laws and regulations specific to the organization's industry, such as financial regulations, healthcare laws, data privacy regulations, labor laws, and environmental regulations.
- Company Policies: Employees are trained on the organization's internal policies and procedures, which often supplement legal requirements and give guidelines for ethical conduct.
- Ethical Standards: Training can emphasize ethical principles and codes of conduct, encouraging employees to make morally sound decisions in their work.
- Risk Mitigation: The aim is to reduce the risk of non-compliance, which can lead to legal issues, financial penalties, reputational damage, and other negative consequences for the organization.
- Accountability: A compliance training program emphasizes individual and collective responsibility. Employees are made aware of their role in upholding compliance standards and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
- Documentation: Many compliance programs require employees to complete training modules and maintain records of their training for auditing and reporting purposes.
- Updates and Changes: Given the evolving nature of laws and regulations, compliance training is an ongoing process. Employees must stay informed about updates and changes to relevant laws and policies.
Training compliance is particularly critical in heavily regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, where non-compliance can result in severe consequences. But, it’s also relevant in virtually every sector, as organizations strive to maintain ethical and legal integrity while conducting their business activities.
Why is compliance training important?
Compliance training is important for several compelling reasons:
- Ethical Behavior: It promotes ethical behavior and responsible decision-making among employees. Training programs often include discussions of ethics and values, fostering a culture of integrity within the organization.
- Reputation Management: Guaranteeing that employees act in accordance with laws and ethical standards helps protect the organization's reputation. A positive reputation can lead to customer trust and loyalty.
- Competitive Advantage: Compliance can be a competitive advantage. Companies that abide by ethical standards and legal requirements can attract more customers, partners, and investors who value responsible business practices.
- Employee Empowerment: Compliance training empowers employees by delivering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions and recognize potential compliance issues in their work.
- Consistency: It makes sure a consistent understanding of rules and policies across the organization. This uniformity reduces the likelihood of conflicting interpretations and inconsistent practices.
- Crisis Preparedness: Organizations that invest in compliance training are often better prepared to handle crises, such as regulatory investigations, by having well-informed employees who can respond appropriately.
- Legal Defensibility: In the event of a legal dispute, having records of compliance training can serve as evidence that the organization took proactive steps to educate its employees about relevant laws and regulations.
- Improved Operations: Compliance training can lead to more efficient and effective business operations by reducing errors, ensuring proper documentation, and streamlining processes to align with regulations.
- Global Expansion: For companies expanding into international markets, compliance training helps navigate diverse regulatory environments and cultural norms, reducing the risk of costly missteps.
In summary, compliance training is not just a legal obligation; it's a strategic investment that safeguards an organization's legal standing, reputation, and long-term success. It fosters a culture of responsibility, ethics, and accountability, which are essential attributes in today's business world.
Establish a culture of safety and integrity with compliance training
Compliance training is not only necessary but also mandatory regardless of your organization’s line of business. While this may seem like a formality at times, it’s just as important as any employee training and shouldn’t just start and stop by merely providing employees with documents to read and sign. Organizations should exert effort in providing compliance training resources that are not only insightful but also engaging. While the information in these types of training is crucial, employees may find them unnecessary and boring which causes disinterest and lack of attentiveness. This defeats the purpose of rolling out these training sessions since information isn’t understood and retained. However, investing in valuable and compelling compliance training resources will boost your employees’ awareness and help you in the long run to protect your organization’s credibility and increase potential employees and clients.