Workplace Pratices & Policies Legal Advisors

How Do I Develop a Policy?

HR policies need to be carefully drafted in order to ensure that they meet the needs and requirements of your own particular business. This is often best done in conjunction with a solicitor who can advise you of the relevant legal requirements and ensure that the policy is robust, practical and up to date.

What Information Should a Policy Include?

A clear workplace policy should contain the following information:

• Introduction: A clear indication of who the policy is intended for
• Aims: The purpose of the policy and what it aims to achieve
• Main body: Sanctions explaining the consequences of certain behaviour or situations
• Advice: Explaining what support you can provide to employees

What Makes a Good Policy?

A good policy should follow a structure, communicate its aims well and should be written in a jargon-free manner. As well as this, it is important to consider if the policy fits in the culture of your organisation and whether it is suitable for all employees.

How Do I Implement a Policy?

When implementing a new policy to current employees, it is important that you introduce the document properly by doing the following:

1. Once the document has been finalised, provide each employee with a copy or use other effective means to ensure that the new policy has been brought to the employees’ attention.
2. Train managers to ensure that the rules within the policy are being enforced.
3. Make the document accessible so it can staff can refer to it at any point. This could be in a communal file or on a shared online document.
4. Ensure that the document is reviewed on the agreed date.