Workplace Policies
01
Workplace Policies and Procedures
Workplace Policies are an important tool for employers, to regulate the behaviour performance and conduct of employees and set minimum expectations. Some policies or procedures are essential in order to comply with the relevant legislation. For example, employers have positive health and safety duties to those within their workplace under the various Work Health and Safety Act’s in force around Australia. Accordingly, every organisation must have systems in place to implement and monitor those obligations.
Work Health and Safety
A written, published and regularly updated general health and safety policy is an essential minimum standard for most small businesses. This should cover things such as:
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Risk assessments;
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Consultation with employees;
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Maintaining equipment;
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Safe handling of equipment and substances;
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Information, instruction and supervision
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Responsibilities;
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Reporting of accidents, near misses
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First aid
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Emergency procedures;
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Any necessary or recommended training
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Hazard and risk identification
All employees should be made aware of such a policy and be provided with a copy. This should occur each time the policy is updated.
In addition to this policy, employers should regularly conduct risk assessments and keep a written version of those risk assessments.
In some workplaces, particularly in higher-risk industries, it may be necessary to have a more robust set of WHS policies, covering certain risks and hazards in greater detail.
Other Workplace Policies
Workplace policies are not specifically required by law but are nonetheless are an integral element of any workplace. Having workplace policies gives employees a clear indication of the expected standards of behaviour, conduct and performance that is required within the organisation. Examples of such policies may include:
If you don’t have a performance review system in place and would like to develop one that is suitable for your business, contact Clyde Industrial today.
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Annual Leave policy: including how to apply for leave, how much notice is required, when you may require employees to take leave;
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Sick Leave (personal/carers leave) Policy: including when the leave can be used; who the employee needs to notify; what constitutes reasonable evidence; when employees will be required to produce a medical certificate;
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Code of Conduct;
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Bullying and Harassment policy;
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Sexual harassment policy;
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Social media and internet usage policy;
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Drug and Alcohol Policy (including whether you have a zero-tolerance policy, and whether random tests will occur);
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Anti-Discrimination and EEO
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Performance and Misconduct;
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Disciplinary Policy
Attempting to discipline employees for breaches of workplace policies, where such policies are not published, circulated and readily available is particularly challenging. Accordingly having a robust set of policies are procedures should be a priority for any employer.