When company policy is clear and known, employees and employers benefit. Employees will know what to expect from management and how to deal with certain situations. Employers and management will have specific, written guidelines for guidance in situations that require discipline or the enforcement of standards. Certainty in what is considered approved or forbidden conduct can help to create a more pleasant and safe environment for all to work in.
1. Equal Opportunity
Equal opportunity policies prevent employers from discriminating against applicants who are part of a protected class due to their race, religion, color, or other fixed characteristics. When this is included in your employee handbook, it shows that you stand for a safe and inclusive workplace that is free from harassment or discrimination. Such a policy should include:
- A list with definitions of protected classes
- Guidelines for hiring, training, and performance evaluations that are merit-based
- Termination policies
- Reporting procedures for discrimination complaints
- Disciplinary actions for policy violations
2. Code of Conduct
Having an established code of conduct can clearly define what is and is not acceptable behavior. Your code should include the company’s core values, guidelines for interacting with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders, legal requirements, proper use of company assets, confidentiality requirements, and potential disciplinary actions for violations.
3. Time Off Policy
A clearly defined paid time off (PTO) policy provides clear benefits and boundaries for new hires and seasoned personnel. Include whether you provide paid time off or follow the traditional system of categorizing sick days and paid vacation.
4. Group Benefits
A group insurance plan can offer tax savings for the business and provide an additional incentive for employee loyalty and job satisfaction. Keeping your staff informed of what the group policy covers can explain what they gain through continued employment. The benefits you offer include health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability insurance.
5. Remote Work Policy
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have switched to partial or fully remote workforces. New hires may never visit the office in some cases. If this sounds like your company, consider including a remote work policy for your out-of-office or hybrid employees. Things to cover in a remote work policy include:
- Time-tracking processes
- Who is eligible to work remotely
- Data security regulations
- Legal considerations
- Communication expectations when out-of-office
- Consequences for policy violations
Do What Works for You
You know your business better than anyone. The above suggestions can help to create a comprehensive policy; ultimately, you will have to determine what works for you by following a straightforward process:
- Identify your company’s needs.
- Formulate solutions to address them.
- Draw up new policies to put these solutions into action.
- Review the policies with your executive team and edit as needed.
- Publish the finalized policy and distribute it to all concerned.
Make Your Business Policy Stand Out with Group Benefits
Good company policy sets a strong foundation for employee-management relations. Including a robust offering of group insurance benefits places your business a cut above the competition. Talk to one of our business insurance agents today to discuss how to add group benefits to your company policy.
