What are Policies

What is a Policy? A policy is a predetermined course of action established as a guide toward accepted objectives and strategies of the organization. A vision is formulated, business processes are analyzed, and policy and procedure systems to support the vision are born. As policies and procedures are written, approved, published, and implemented, the company’s vision is articulated. 

 

Objectives :

Objectives To provide fair, acceptable & efficient leadership To provide an opportunity for expansion & voice in management To strengthen & appreciate the human assets continuously by providing training & developmental programs To provide facilities & conditions of work & creation of favorable atmosphere for maintaining stability of employment To attain an effective utilization of human resources in the achievement of organizational goals, etc 

Why Develop a Policy Manual:

Policy manuals are developed to help staff and management teams run the organization. In best use situations, policies play a strategic role in an organization. They are developed in light of the mission and objectives of the company and they become the media by which management’s plans, rules, intents, and business processes become documented and communicated to all staff. Carefully drafted and standardized policies and procedures save the company countless hours of management time. The consistent use and interpretation of such policies, in an evenhanded and fair manner, reduces management's concern about legal issues becoming legal problems. 

 

Mission and Policy :

Without policies boundaries and baselines related to the company’s missions and objectives would not exist. When developing your policies, you should start with your mission and objectives. A mission statement should be a clear statement about who your company is trying to serve. It should be a cultural reflection of the values, beliefs, and philosophy of the organization. It should be very brief and very clear so that everyone in the organization can understand it and so that objectives are seen clearly as steps to achieving the mission. Objectives are like goals; they direct the staff’s attention to important factors in running the organization and help define unique ways to enhance performance of individuals and the organization as a whole. 

Various Types of Policies :

Various Types of Policies Employment Policies These are the policies that guide hiring practices, orientation of new employees, compliance with employment laws, and confidentiality. Employment Status & Records These are the policies that define such issues as employment classifications, access to personnel files and guidance on how background checks and performance reviews are to be performed. Employee Benefits These are policies that explain employee benefits such as insurance, vacations, holidays, leave, and employee reimbursements. Payroll These are policies that are related to salary and wage administration including deductions, pay advances, and time keeping.

Workplace Guidelines These policies are quite varied and their purpose range from defining certain work arrangements such as flex time and telecommuting to offering guidelines on the use of company assets and record retention. Employee Conduct These policies are guidelines that control employer behavior and conduct on the job. The mainstay of this section is a code of conduct but also important are policies regarding substance abuse, smoking, harassment, and workplace violence. E-Policies These policies guide staff in the use of the organization’s information technology. Policies defining acceptable and prohibited activities and use of e-mail and the Internet make up a majority of these policies.