Records Hold Policy Evaluation

Your company is facing a lawsuit. Do you know where your records are?

Today's well-managed companies have already developed a body of policy and practice for managing records. However, in the face of investigations, audits or legal proceedings, many organizations may still be unclear about their rights and obligations with regard to records.

It has been widely reported that Enron and Andersen Consulting may have destroyed volumes of records in advance of investigations into their business practices. This high-profile case should be a clarion call to corporate America to ensure that appropriate Records Hold policies and practices have been developed, communicated and enforced within their organizations. Regulators, executives, legal counsel and shareholders will undoubtedly be examining these issues with greater scrutiny as the Enron and Andersen stories unfold.

A Records Hold Policy and Practice Evaluation

When an organization is notified of an investigation, audit or legal proceeding, its Records Management obligations may change. Determining these obligations can be complex and failure to meet them can have disastrous effects. Furthermore, electronic records - especially those in email - are a favorite target for litigation. What do you preserve? What are the consequences of both intentional and unintentional destruction? When do your routine Records Management rules no longer apply?

Kahn Consulting, Inc. ("KCI") offers a comprehensive Evaluation that will help to ensure that your organization is properly managing electronic records. Our Evaluation will answer the following questions:

1. Are your existing Records Hold polices and practices sufficient?
   
   A Records Hold policy may be a discrete document within a Records Management policy regime or an element of several related policies. In either case, the policy needs to provide clear guidance on how records relating to a pending investigation, audit or legal proceeding are managed. Our Evaluation will examine your policies and practices to ensure that they support your legal, technological and business goals.
   
   
2. Have your Records Hold policies and practices been clearly communicated?
   
   Complex investigations, audits and legal proceedings may involve several corporate divisions, offices and departments within your organizations. As such, it is critical that Records Hold policies and practices are clearly understood by the right people. Our Evaluation will help you to determine whether or not your people understand their obligations.
   
   
3. Do you comply with your Records Hold policies and practices?
   
   The best crafted and communicated policies and practices do little to protect your organization if they are not enforced. Our Evaluation will let you know if your people are meeting their obligations.
   

Evaluation Package Details