HR policies and procedures are a written source of reference and guidance on how a range of issues should be handled within an organisation. They can be incorporated into your Employee Handbook. Policy sets out your proposed course of action for all employees on how you want or will manage HR issues. It includes but is not limited to a description of the principles, rights and responsibilities for managers and employees.
To avoid any lack of transparency in its HR management, organisations should have policies in place that set out how the business will deal with specific issues. Procedures set out the implementation of the policy and illustrate how you as an employer operate in a fair and consistent manner towards all employees. By establishing this as a transparent and balanced approach it will enhance the psychological contract between you your managers and employees moreover, it will contribute to increased and improved employee engagement.
Having HR policies and procedures in place is a demonstration of your clear guidance on a range of issues. By sharing this guidance with your managers it can avoid often lengthy, inefficient and costly involvement with tribunal claims.
Certain HR policies and procedures are specifically needed to comply with employment law requirements. For example, a written health and safety policy is required for any organisation with five or more employees, while there are also important legislative provisions surrounding the setting out of formal disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Even when not required in law, in our experience employers find it helpful to have certain policies in place to provide clear and unequivocal guidance that reflect the framework that may be used to ensure the issue is managed appropriately. It also defines your organisational stance on a particular subject.
Organisations introduce or review specific HR policies for a range of reasons including:
People People HR will support your business by working with you to produce policies and procedures that are tailored to the specific needs of your business. These policies can be collated and stored in an Employee Handbook for ease of access, guidance and reference.
