HR Essentials: 12 Policies That Every Business Should Have

Effective workplace policies are crucial to the success of any business, regardless of its size. They help to establish clear expectations and standards while protecting the rights of both employers and employees. However, many small business owners tend to overlook the importance of creating and implementing comprehensive HR policies.

By implementing well-written policies, employers can effectively manage their staff by defining acceptable and unacceptable workplace behavior, and enforcing consequences for non-compliance.

Here are 12 HR policies that every business should have:

Work Health & Safety Policy

This policy outlines safety procedures and the responsibilities of all employees to keep themselves and the workplace safe, thus minimizing the risk of workplace injuries.

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy

This policy defines and communicates what constitutes inappropriate behavior at work, such as bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, and outlines procedures for dealing with complaints.

Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct sets the standards of behavior that employers expect from their employees, covering issues such as the business standards, employer and employee obligations and business objectives.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy

This policy communicates the business’s zero-tolerance approach towards drugs and alcohol and reiterates the potential for employees to be subjected to random testing and consequences for not adhering to the policy

Leave Policy

A leave policy is valuable for all businesses, but particularly those that experience seasonal busy periods as it sets out what can be expected during busy times, times when the business might be shut down, and what happens if an employee doesn’t have enough leave to cover this time.

Grievance Policy

This policy acts as an important tool for employees to understand what steps they should follow when making or handling a complaint in the event of a workplace dispute.

Performance Counselling and Discipline Policy

This policy guides employers on how to remain compliant with procedural fairness requirements while dealing with unacceptable conduct in the workplace.

Internet and Email Policy

An internet and email policy defines what constitutes inappropriate use of company computers and internet resources, as well as the consequences an employee may face for breaching the policy.

Social Media Policy

This policy is essential for protecting the company’s reputation on social media as it outlines what constitutes acceptable and appropriate social media behavior by employees.

Privacy Policy

This policy safeguards the personal information of employees and customers by articulating how their private information is used and managed.

Driving and Motor Vehicle Policy

This policy sets out the expectations for employee behavior and conduct while driving for work purposes, including procedures for breakdowns and emergencies.

Working from Home Policy

This policy is becoming increasingly relevant as more employees work from home. It outlines expectations for working arrangements and provides clarity for managing employees and performance.

So, if you do not have these policies in place, now is the time to reach out. Now Actually can help tailor these to your business. We can work with you to develop these to ensure that you have simple yet effective HR processes in place.

For assistance email contact@nowactually.com.au