You have probably encountered situations in the work place that could have been prevented or even less traumatic if you had written policies in place for them – whether an actual “handbook” or a collection of pages on key topics. This type of prescriptive yet preventative medicine, can also serve as a good business/strategic planning tool for your organization. There are on-going lists of ethical and viable reasons to have written policies in the workplace, but here are the “top” seven (in no particular order):

1. Legal disputes can be avoided later on with a well drafted and enforced employee handbook to stifle accusations to the organization and its management of favoritism; and it can provide clear information on the organization's position against discrimination, retaliation, harassment and providing reporting procedures for any observed violations.

2. An employee handbook helps save you and your managers/supervisors time with having to answer several of the same questions employees ask repeatedly.

3. It is a resource of documented expectations and obligations of the organization, its management and staff.

4. Policies will help with consistency and uniformity in the workplace, as well as minimize or event prevent certain disputes.

5. Improves organizational leadership by keeping the business on track with its mission by taking the time needed to identify with the message and impression you want your employees to have about YOUR organization.

6. Great communication tool for sharing the importance of protecting the company and its employees in times of handling a disaster or sharing your disaster readiness plan, for either natural or manmade disasters.

7. One of the most effective was to inform employees of policy in relations to those items a business is legally obligated to provide anyway. For example: Companies larger than 50 employees must provide information regarding the Family Medical Leave Act to their employees.

Career Connections offers customized employee handbook development to meet the needs and culture of YOUR organization.

www.lkscareerconnections.com 319-277-3125