Policy & Procedure Management

Let's talk about strategic approaches to policy and procedure management.

Tracy Tracy
Policies for everything?
Hi, all. What are your thoughts about creating policies on topics that are covered in either the Employee Handbook of the Code of Conduct? Do you think it is important to also have a stand alone policy on those topics? Why or why not?
Tracy Tracy
Tracy Tracy
Policies for everything?
Hi, all. What are your thoughts about creating policies on topics that are covered in either the Employee Handbook of the Code of Conduct? Do you think it is important to also have a stand alone policy on those topics? Why or why not?
Brian Baker
It depends on the subject matter of the policy. Sexual harassment is a hot topic and currently revised within our organization. Originally, it was a subsection within the Code of Conduct but the organization identified the issue as a major risk and liability so a new stand alone policy was developed with required training to support the implementation and compliance of the document. Many policies can be revised to address new issues that relate to a specific subject. As an example, many organizations/companies have ISP policies in place and may consider revising the social media section within that policy to address new issues or legal requirements. This may be a stand alone policy for an organization/company that relies on social media as a resource but it could be a general section within the ISP policy with revision.
Brian Baker
Brian Baker commented
It depends on the subject matter of the policy. Sexual harassment is a hot topic and currently revised within our organization. Originally, it was a subsection within the Code of Conduct but the organization identified the issue as a major risk and liability so a new stand alone policy was developed with required training to support the implementation and compliance of the document. Many policies can be revised to address new issues that relate to a specific subject. As an example, many organizations/companies have ISP policies in place and may consider revising the social media section within that policy to address new issues or legal requirements. This may be a stand alone policy for an organization/company that relies on social media as a resource but it could be a general section within the ISP policy with revision.
Mel Murphy
I believe the fewer "policies" the better. I often see that we have knee-jerk reactions and create a bunch of policies that only apply to some employees or read more like a guideline or procedures. Policies should have "teeth" and be applicable to all employees - things they MUST do and disciplinary actions for violations of those policies (your big ones like Sexual Harassment, IT, or have legal requirements), and line up with the values of the company. Any information that relate to those policies - a procedure, guideline, best practices, etc. or uses words like "may" or "should" can be a supplement.
Mel Murphy
Mel Murphy commented
I believe the fewer "policies" the better. I often see that we have knee-jerk reactions and create a bunch of policies that only apply to some employees or read more like a guideline or procedures. Policies should have "teeth" and be applicable to all employees - things they MUST do and disciplinary actions for violations of those policies (your big ones like Sexual Harassment, IT, or have legal requirements), and line up with the values of the company. Any information that relate to those policies - a procedure, guideline, best practices, etc. or uses words like "may" or "should" can be a supplement.