The Must-Have Policies for Your Workplace

Best practice is to provide new employees with a copy of your workplace policies and procedures as part of their induction.

Workplace policies help employees understand expectations, responsibilities and workplace processes. They also provide managers with a consistent framework for responding to workplace issues.

While every organisation’s policies should reflect its size, industry, risks and workplace culture, there are several core policies most employers should consider.

What policies should every workplace have?

The must-have workplace policies include:

Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct (also known as a Code of Conduct & Ethics or Appropriate Workplace Conduct Policy) outlines expected standards of behaviour, professionalism and workplace interactions.

It helps employees understand what is expected of them and provides a framework for addressing inappropriate workplace behaviour.

Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy

A Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy outlines your organisation’s commitment to providing a safe workplace and managing workplace risks and hazards.

Depending on your organisation, your WHS framework may include policies relating to:

• bullying and harassment

• sexual harassment

• psychosocial hazards

• family and domestic violence

• workplace wellbeing

• emergency procedures

• mandatory reporting obligations

Anti-Discrimination Policy

An Anti-Discrimination Policy promotes equal employment opportunity and explains your organisation’s commitment to preventing discrimination, harassment and unlawful workplace behaviour.

Related policies may include:

• diversity and inclusion

• disability access and inclusion

• respectful workplace behaviour

Privacy Policy

A Privacy Policy outlines how employee and business information is collected, stored, used and protected.

Leave Policy

A Leave Policy provides guidance on accessing workplace entitlements, including annual leave, personal/carer’s leave and other types of leave available to employees.

Complaints and Grievances Policy

A Complaints and Grievances Policy provides employees with a clear process for raising concerns and explains how workplace issues will be managed.

A well-designed process helps organisations respond to concerns fairly, consistently and in line with procedural fairness principles.

Performance Management Policy

A Performance Management Policy outlines expectations and provides a framework for managing performance concerns, feedback, counselling and disciplinary processes.

IT and Social Media Policy

An IT and Social Media Policy explains the appropriate use of workplace technology, systems and online platforms.

It can help organisations manage risks relating to confidentiality, privacy, cybersecurity and employee conduct online.

Additional workplace policies to consider

Not every workplace requires the same policies. Your policies should reflect your organisation’s size, industry, workforce, risks and workplace culture.

Additional policies may include:

• Working From Home Policy

• Family and Domestic Violence Policy

• Workplace Fatigue Policy

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy

• Psychosocial Hazards Policy

• Diversity and Inclusion Policy

• Vaccination Policy

• Sustainability Policy

• Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs Policy

• Use of Company Property Policy

As your workplace evolves, your policies should evolve with it.

Are your workplace policies current and effective?

Workplace policies should be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain:

• compliant with current workplace legislation

• relevant to your organisation

• aligned with your workplace culture

• understood by employees and managers

Policies are only effective when employees and managers understand how they apply in practice.

Whenever policies are introduced or updated, organisations should communicate changes clearly and provide guidance or training where required.

Supporting policies with practical HR processes

Strong workplace practices combine clear policies with practical processes, including:

• recruitment checklists

• probation checklists

• onboarding checklists

• performance management processes

• termination checklists

• industry-specific compliance checklists

Employee handbooks and manager resources can also help ensure policies are applied consistently across your organisation.

Frequently asked questions

What workplace policies are legally required in Australia?

There is no single list of policies that applies to every Australian workplace. Required policies depend on factors including your industry, workforce size, workplace risks and legal obligations.

However, all employers should have appropriate processes and policies in place to meet their workplace health and safety, employment and discrimination obligations.

How often should workplace policies be reviewed?

Employers should regularly review workplace policies to ensure they remain accurate, legally compliant and relevant to current workplace practices.

Policies should also be reviewed when legislation changes, workplace risks change, or organisational practices evolve.

Do small businesses need workplace policies?

Yes. Workplace policies help small businesses set clear expectations, manage risks and provide consistency when workplace issues arise.

Clear policies can support managers, improve employee understanding and help prevent workplace disputes.

How Workplace Plus can help

Workplace Plus can develop, review and update workplace policies and procedures to ensure they reflect your organisation’s needs, workplace culture and current employment obligations.

Our HR consultants can also support managers and employees with practical guidance and training to help embed policies into everyday workplace practices.

Need help reviewing your workplace policies? Contact Workplace Plus today.

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