In most boardrooms, “Risk” still evokes talk of cyber threats, compliance gaps, operational or financial exposure. But there’s another kind of risk—quieter, human, and often overlooked: the burden of unpaid care responsibilities carried by employees.

Across organizations, professionals are juggling careers with caregiving—raising children, supporting elderly parents, or helping family members with special needs. While traditionally seen as a “personal matter,” its implications for organizational risk are profound. Lets try and see how- When workplaces fail to recognize these realities or lack supportive policies, the effects seep into the company’s very fabric. Burnout increases, engagement drops, and productivity quietly declines. Over time, these invisible pressures become systemic risks—affecting retention, reputation, and compliance culture.

That’s where internal auditors can play a transformational role. Traditionally seen as watchdogs of controls and compliance, auditors are now uniquely positioned to bring a human lens to governance. They can question whether the organization’s culture and policies align with its values on inclusion, well-being, and diversity.

• Do workloads reflect fairness?
• Are flexible arrangements accessible to all, or only to a few?
• Is the performance system unintentionally penalizing caregivers?

By asking such questions, auditors elevate their role—from ensuring compliance to safeguarding human sustainability. This is not about compassion over compliance; it’s about recognizing that people are the most material assets of any enterprise. When caregiving is supported, productivity flourishes. When it’s ignored, risk multiplies silently.

Redefining risk is, therefore, about expanding our lens—seeing that the resilience of an organization lies as much in empathetic governance as it does in robust controls. The future of internal audit will belong to those who can connect both.

Disclaimer:

Views expressed are personal in nature and do not represent those of the publishing organization.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Smriti Manchanda is a Chartered Accountant who has worked across various industries like Banking, Insurance, Legal and Travel. She started her career 20 years ago in the corporate world and brings a rich experience of various situations that one may face and how to deal with them. She firmly believes that though we are all on our unique journeys, but together, we can create a powerful wave of change. The more we support each other, the stronger we become.