The Role of Social Audits in Managing Psychosocial Risks and Promoting Workplace Well-Being in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Literature Review

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has been thrust into a profound health and economic crisis. The way we work underwent a rapid and radical transformation, forcing organizations to adopt new structures and work arrangements urgently. This crisis context has given rise to a host of psychosocial issues, amplifying existing challenges such as stress, anxiety, and burnout among employees. These psychosocial risks have had a detrimental impact on the psychological well-being of employees, resulting in adverse effects on organizational performance. This realization has prompted organizations to focus on a potent tool: social audits. Social audits provide a systematic approach to evaluating how organizations address the needs of their employees, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. By incorporating psychosocial risk indicators into audit practices, organizations can better identify, assess, and prevent these emerging risks. This literature review explores the role of social audits in identifying and preventing psychosocial risks during and after the COVID-19 era and examines how these audits can impact psychological well-being at work. By analyzing recent literature and audit practices, this paper highlights the critical importance of integrating social audits into organizational policies and strategies. It also offers insightful reflections on how social audits can serve as proactive and inclusive tools for promoting psychological well-being in the workplace, in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.