Best practice for new employees is to induct them into your organisation and provide them with a copy of your workplace policies.
The five must-have policies for your employee manual are:
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy, highlighting any potential workplace risks or hazards.
Anti-Discrimination Policy, promoting equal employment opportunity.
Privacy Policy, regarding the disclosure of an employee’s personal details.
Complaints & Grievances Policy, with options for conflict resolution and employee assistance.
Performance Management Policy, outlining the process for performance management of employees.
The above-mentioned policies are an umbrella for several other essential policies, including:
WHS
Bullying & Harassment Policy, including sexual harassment.
Appropriate Workplace Conduct or Code of Conduct, discussing respect and responsibility.
Mentally Healthy Workplace Policy, promoting employee wellbeing and providing support.
Anti-Discrimination
Disability Access and Inclusion Policy, promoting equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
Diversity Policy, promoting gender parity and cultural diversity.
Some policies such as Appropriate use of IT and Social Media and Domestic & Family Violence could fall under both WHS and Anti-Discrimination policies.
Are the policies in your employee manual relevant and appropriate to your particular workplace?
You should regularly review your Employee Manual to ensure that your policies and procedures comply with current employment legislation.
Your policies also need to reflect your unique workplace culture. For example, some workplaces may choose to include policies around LGBTI Inclusion, Sustainability, Smoking, Alcohol & Drugs and/or Use of Company Property. As your workplace culture evolves, your HR polices should follow suit.
Don’t assume that your managers and staff already know the policies
Any time that you review and update your policies, make sure that all employees understand the changes. Running a refresher training or info session is the best way to ensure that your staff are well informed.
At WorkPlacePLUS, we can assist in developing or reviewing your employee manual, with relevant policies that address your unique workplace culture and comply with current regulations. We can also educate your staff on important policy updates and help to address any questions or concerns they may have.
For more information, please contact us today.
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