What is a workplace policy?
Workplace policies are statements of principles and practices dealing with the ongoing management and administration of the organisation or business. Policies act as a guiding frame of reference for how the organisation deals with everything from its day to-day operational problems or how to respond to requirements to comply with legislation, regulation and codes of practice.
The need for effective workplace policies and procedures has never been more important than in today’s changing workplace. Creating formal policies and procedures allows you and your staff to make better decisions and also adds legitimacy to your decisions. Having an agreed process will allow you to reduce risk within your business, and can provide the following benefits to your workplace:
- It will help employees understand what is expected of them with respect to standards of behaviour and performance, and gives clear and defined boundaries that are consistent with the values of the organisation.
- It provides a set of rules and guidelines for decision-making in everyday situations for staff to easily refer to. This can help maintain the direction of the organisation even during periods of change.
- It allows you to demonstrate to your employees, and potential employees, that all employees will be treated fairly and equally, and it ensures uniformity and consistency in decision-making and operational procedures
- It can provide you with a documented and accepted method of dealing with complaints and misunderstandings to help avoid claims of favouritism or discrimination.
- It can set a framework for delegation of decision making in the absence of senior management or line management.
- It is a very useful means of communicating important information to new employees, and can clarify functions and responsibilities.
- If done properly, they can offer you protection from breaches of employment legislation, such as equal opportunity laws and other associated legislation.
- It can assist in assessing performance and establishing accountability.
A workplace policy should:
- set out the aim of the policy
- explain why the policy was developed
- list who the policy applies to
- set out what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour
- set out the consequences of not complying with the policy
- provide a date when the policy was developed or updated.
Policies also need to be reviewed on a regular basis and updated where necessary. For example, if there is a change in equipment or workplace procedures you may need to amend your current policy or develop a new one.
Employment law changes, changes to your award or agreement may also require a review of your policies and procedures. Stay up to date with relevant changes by regularly checking Fair Work Online [Fair Work Ombudsman]
Types of workplace policies
Here are some examples of common workplace policies that could assist your workplace:
- code of conduct
- recruitment policy
- internet and email policy
- mobile phone policy
- non-smoking policy
- drug and alcohol policy
- health and safety policy
- anti-discrimination and harassment policy
- grievance handling policy
- discipline and termination policy
- using social media.