Policies are vital to the success of any business, regardless of the size or industry, and are necessary in establishing a clear set of rules to help guide operations. Policies communicate a business’s culture, values, mission and vision by outlining what employees can expect from the business, what the business expects from employees, and what customers and the greater community should expect from the business and its workforce.
It’s no wonder then that Australian business owners see the benefit of having in place a set of robust policies in order to cover all bases when it comes to protecting both the business and its employees; and with some of the most complex workplace laws in the world, it’s a necessity.
Workplace legislation is constantly evolving and laws do, and will, continue to change. Which means that business owners need to 1) be aware of these changes and 2) ensure that any changes that apply to the business are implemented to ensure compliance, minimise risk, and promote best practice at all times.
Introducing new or updated policies in the workplace
Sometimes an incident occurs which highlights the need for a new policy, or perhaps a recent review of existing policies has brought to light gaps in important processes that require addressing through policy reform. Either way, once a new or updated policy has been developed and approved for distribution throughout the business, it’s essential to invest in adequate training and roll out in order to be effective.
Track when employees are given policy revisions
Employees can only be held accountable for any information provided to them, so it’s important to track when employees have received specific policy updates or revisions. In order to address this issue, businesses can require an employee to sign off on any new, revised or updated policy, attesting that it has been received, read and understood.
Train employees on new or updated policies
The effectiveness of a new or updated policy in the workplace rests largely on how well it is communicated to employees, and the adequacy of the training. Employees need to understand not only what to do in any given situation, but why the guidelines matter to both the employee and the business. It’s also vital that workers know where key information can be found.
Businesses must provide clear, consistent, on-going communication regarding a new policy and any updates or revisions. So, tapping into the power of training is an excellent way to communicate these changes by educating employees on the business’s expectations, and reinforcing concepts outlined in the policy.
When training aligns with and covers the specifics of a new or updated policy, it is much more likely that employees will understand what it says and be able to apply it in their roles; ensuring compliance and offering another way to boost the effectiveness of the policy itself.
Communication is key
With ever-changing workplace rules and regulations, businesses need to get ahead of potential risks or liabilities by changing or developing relevant policies as required. Employers should communicate any revisions, citing both what has changed and what has stayed the same, which helps employees to have a better understanding.
The purpose of policies is to help employers to communicate the mission, vision, values and culture of the business into clearly written and easily accessible documents for all employees. In order for this vital information to translate and resonate with the workforce, businesses need to invest in effective training and roll out when introducing new and updated policies.
Further to the development of policies and processes for your business, our team can create a practical, dynamic and informative training session on any new, updated or revised policies to ensure your employees fully understand the changes. Get in touch with our team for more details.
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