Rules people can follow.
WHAT POLICIES A SMALL BUSINESS TYPICALLY NEEDS
Leave and absence Disciplinary and grievance Health and safety Acceptable use of systems Confidentiality and data protection Expenses Equal treatment and anti-harassment
WHAT MAKES A POLICY USEFUL
Short Specific Written in plain language Actually applied
WHAT MAKES ONE HARMFUL
Describing practices nobody follows.
WHY HARMFUL
It becomes evidence against you.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
Document what you actually do, then improve it.
WHAT EVERY POLICY SHOULD STATE
Who it applies to What is expected What happens if it is not followed Who to ask
WHAT TO AVOID
Copying another company's handbook Policies contradicting the contract Policies you cannot enforce consistently
WHY CONSISTENCY MATTERS MOST
Inconsistent application is what creates claims.
WHAT TO DO WHEN INTRODUCING A POLICY
Communicate it Explain why Record that people received it
WHY RECORD RECEIPT
Enforcement depends on people having been told.
WHAT TO REVIEW
Policies, periodically and when the law or the business changes.
WHAT TO KEEP
Version history, with dates.
WHY
You may need to show what applied at a given time.
WHAT TO HAVE REVIEWED
Anything with legal consequences.
