It is important for any business, big or small, to have all their policies in place and clearly communicated to their employees. A simple way to do that is to have a company policy manual. The policy manual sets guidelines for everyone to follow as well as informs employees of laws and regulations regarding workplace behaviour. Creating a company policy manual may seem like a daunting task, but having one brings many benefits.

1.A good policy manual helps ensure key policies are clearly communicated across the organization.

A policy is not effective if it is practiced inconsistently.  A good policy manual with cover all of the company’s policies related to employment, employee conduct, and other policies and procedures the company follows. Managers can also refer to the handbook when answering questions or making decisions regarding the company policies, and ensure that their answers and actions are consistent with the rest of the company’s practices.

2.A good policy manual protects employers by ensuring compliance with Federal and Provincial laws.

No matter where you are, or how small (or big) your company is, your company is subject to Federal and Provincial employment laws. Your policy manual demonstrates your company is compliant with the regulations, and should also communicate the various entitlements and obligations to employees. This can help defend against employee claims if the company is faced with a lawsuit or similar challenge from an employee. A thorough and compliant policy manual will help show that the company exercised “reasonable care” towards its employees.

3.A good policy manual communicates to employees what is expected of them and what they can expect from others.

Employees should have a clear understanding of their responsibilities in regards to the company’s policies and procedures. For example, it should advise employees about the procedures for requesting time off and who to contact if they have an unscheduled absence. It tells the employee who to go to if they have questions about specific policies in the handbook.

4.A good policy manual is a resource for your employees that will save you time.

When employees first start at a company, they may not know all the “rules” at the company. They may ask questions about the dress code, hours of work, or vacation time, to name a few examples. While it is always encouraged that employees ask questions, the policy manual can be their resource if no one is around to answer the question. This way, you, as the employer, can spend less time answering questions about the company and more time focusing on revenue-generating activities.

To recap, the policy manual ensures uniformity across the company. It sets guidelines for employees to follow and informs employees about laws and regulations. It is a resource that will save you time, while ensuring compliance in regards to potential legal issues. Contact Surge to help you create a personalized policy manual for your organization.