Do you employees understand what's expected of them in any given situation?More importantly, do YOU know what you expect of your employees in a given situation?
Take
following scenario:
A journalist from your local newspaper phones your office wanting an interview regarding a charity benefit that your business is supporting. You are not available, so employee who answered phone gives interview.
Is this okay with you? Are your employees authorized to give interviews to media? All of your employees or just certain ones? Can they give interviews without clearing it with you first? In what situations? Do they know what to say and what not to say in an interview? Do you require a written or verbal report following an interview?
If you have an Employee Policy Manual, that's just one of many topics that you will have addressed.
Regardless of size of your business, Employee Policy Manual is an essential management tool that communicates your rules and expectations to employees. Management consultants tell us that Employee Policy Manual is created to ensure consistency and to establish methods that employer will use to address an array of issues. A good Employee Policy Manual will not only cover issues like media contact, but will address more important issues of employment, health and safety in workplace and employee theft.
Although contents of Employee Policy Manual will differ from business to business, all should contain following main sections:
1. Employee Code. Outline basic elements such as working hours, vacation time, salary and benefits, overtime, orientation procedures, and performance evaluations. Also, include coverage of customer handling and other issues that arise during normal course of workday. Include job descriptions in this section as well.
