Workplace of Choice

There seems to be an ongoing debate over whether or not a company should formalize their Human Resources policies.  Some argue “if it’s not written, I’m not bound by it” and others feel comforted knowing there are rules set in place by which they can manage.  HR policies are intended to guide employers in the handling of employment and administrative decisions, performance management, employee relations and the general management of their employees.  While some may argue otherwise, there is a place in most companies for some form of HR policies. 

HR policies offer consistency, compliance, guidelines and information.

• Consistency- HR policies will ensure the fair and consistent treatment of employees.  This will help increase employee satisfaction and employee morale because employees will be treated with the same standards, but will also limit your risk of discrimination lawsuits.
• Compliance – HR policies ensure compliance with Federal and State laws.  Some laws state that a policy needs to be written while other laws require employers treat their employees a certain way.  Whichever the case, policies written to address these laws will decrease a company’s legal risk.
• Guidelines – HR policies offer guidelines for which Managers can manage their employees.  Without clear guidelines a Manager may be unsure how to handle a certain situation or develop their own standards that are different from that of the Company’s.
• Information - HR policies are also written to give the employee information.  Written policies can give an employee information about benefits, time off procedures, fringe benefits, work hours, dress code and many other day-to-day work practices.  These policies serve as a reference tool for employees to understand the expectations of the company.

What your company’s policies are going to look like will vary depending on your company objectives, the company size, the formality of the organization and your employee population.  These policies can be written into an Employee Handbook, Offer Letter, Termination Letter, Confidentiality/Non-Compete Agreements, Employment Contracts and may be posted throughout the Company.  Regardless of how you are going to disseminate this information, there is a place somewhere for some form of HR policies in every organization.