10 Vital Policies and Procedures in the Workplace
A workplace policy outlines in detail what is expected of employees in terms of performance and behavior. Employees are instructed on how to carry out those policies by a workplace procedure. Together, policies and procedures provide workers with a comprehensive picture of their workplace. In this post, we go over a few workplace policies and processes as examples.
It’s critical for employees to be familiar with the rules and regulations at work. Your working life can be improved by being aware of the policies and processes that affect you. It explains your obligations and legal rights to you. Here are 10 actual policies and procedures from the workplace:
1. Code of conduct
Most businesses follow a common policy known as a code of conduct. It is a set of guidelines that employers anticipate their staff to abide by. The regulations lay out the anticipated conduct for all employees.
A code of conduct policy may cover the following:
- General Responsibilities
- Safeguarding for the Vulnerable People
- Conflict of Interest
- Confidentiality
- Organization Property
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Dress and Demeanor
- Financial Responsibility and Accountability
- Use of Organization Equipment
- Integrity and Organization Ethics
- Public Statement
- Safety
- Environment
- Gifts and Entertainment
- Compliance
2. Child Protection Policy
A workplace child protection policy safeguards children’s welfare by preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation of them.
A child protection policy may cover the following:
- Guiding Principles
- What to do
- What not to do
- Training on Child Protection
- Signing Code of Conduct
- Observation of National and International Days on child rights issues
- Campaign from Digital Platform
- Response to Child Protection
- The Child Protection Committee (CPC)
3. Sexual Harassment Elimination Policy
A workplace sexual harassment elimination policy promotes the well-being of staff and program participants that protects them from sexual abuse and harassment
A sexual harassment elimination policy may cover the following:
- Scope of Policy
- Conducts Considered as Sexual Harassment
- Training on Sexual Harassment Elimination Policy and Procedure
- Signing Code of Conduct
- Observation of National and International Days
- Campaign from a Digital Platform
- Response to Sexual Harassment Protection
- The Sexual Harassment Elimination Committee (SHEC)
4. Workplace Bullying & Violence Prevention Policy
A workplace bullying & violence prevention policy promotes the well-being of staff and program participants that protects them from harassment, bullying, threats, and violence in the workplace.
A workplace bullying & violence prevention policy may cover the following:
- Scope of Policy
- Behavior considered violence in the workplace
- Training on Workplace Bullying and Violence Prevention Policy and Procedure
- Signing Code of Conduct
- Campaign from a Digital Platform
- Response to Bullying and Violence Complaints
- The Workplace Bullying and Violence Prevention Committee (WBVPC)
5. Whistleblowing Policy
A workplace whistleblowing policy encourages staff, volunteers, and program participants to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or violations of adopted policies of the organization.
A whistleblowing policy may cover the following:
- Scope of the Policy
- Reporting
- Confidentiality
- Anonymous Allegations
- Untrue Allegations
- Procedure for Making Allegation
6. Conflict of Interest Management Policy
A workplace conflict of interest management policy provides organizational guidance to the relevant entities (staff and volunteers) in identifying and fighting actual and potential conflicts of interest with a view to establishing good governance in the organization’s all operations and practices through accountability, transparency, and integrity.
A conflict of interest management policy may cover the following:
- Definition of Conflict of Interest and Other Relevant Terms
- Compliance Requirement
- Scope of the Policy
- Disclosure of the Conflict of Interest
- Record Preservation
- Action after Disclosure
- Response to Non-Compliance
- Training
7. Anti-Fraud, Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy
A workplace anti-fraud, anti-bribery & anti-corruption policy provides organizational guidance to the relevant entities (staff and volunteers) in identifying and fighting actual and potential conflicts of interest with a view to establishing good governance in the organization’s all operations and practices through accountability, transparency and integrity.
An anti-fraud, anti-bribery & anti-corruption policy may cover the following:
- Definitions of Terms- ‘Fraud’, ‘Bribery’, and ‘Corruption’
- Due Diligence and Risk
- Compliance with Laws and Regulations
- Scope of the Policy
- The Organization’s Responsibility toward Compliance with the Policy
- Awareness and Sensitization
- Reporting
- Responding
8. Data Protection Policy
A workplace data protection policy ensures an adequate level of data protection. This policy describes how this personal data must be collected, updated, handled and stored to meet the organization’s data protection standards
A data protection policy may cover the following:
- Scope of Data Protection Policy
- Data Protection Policy Principles
- Data protection risks
- General guidelines for data protection
- Data storage guidelines
- Data usage guidelines
- Data updating guidelines
- Disclosing data for other reasons
- Responsibilities of concerned people
- Violation of policy and administrative measures
9. Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM) Guideline
A workplace complaint and response mechanism guideline sets out the procedure for receiving, recording, and responding to complaints or feedback from the communities and customers.
A complaint and response mechanism guideline may cover the following:
- Scope to Complaining
- Complaint Receiving, Recording and Responding Procedure
- Receiving Verbal and Written Complaints
- Acknowledging Complaints
- Registering Complaints
- Resolving Complaints
- Responding to the Complainant
- Appeals Process
- Management of the CRM Guideline
- Designing a Complaints Mechanism
- Training for Staff
10. Gender Policy
A workplace gender policy works to strengthen the organization as a gender-sensitive organization and to contribute towards reducing gender inequality in the family, community, society, and the state. The Gender Policy aims at facilitating the narrowing the gender gap and strives for attaining equitable social and economic development by integrating gender perspectives in development programs.
A gender policy may cover the following:
- Measures for Organization Governance Structure
- Measures for Recruitment Leave, Promotion, Posting and Dismissal for female staff
- Measures for Financial and other material benefits
- Measures for Infrastructure and other special benefits
- Solving Specific Problems of the Female Staff
- Values and Code of Conduct
- Workload Review (Menstruation Period, Pregnancy Period, breast feeding)
- Program designing, planning and implementation
- Advocacy & networking
- Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
- Training on Gender Promotion
- Increased Engagement of Women in Governance of the Organization
- Engagement of women participant in program cycle management
- Observation of National and International Days
- Campaign from Digital Platform
- The Gender Promotion Committee (GPC)
The article was written by Md. Humayun Kabir, an Independent Consultant, and Director, Creative Services Limited. Email: humayun@cslbd71.com