Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 6th Edition by Raymond Noe, John Hollenbeck, Barry Gerhart,Patrick Wright

Exercise 23

Writing Effective HR Policies
Effective policies make it clear to employees what the organization requires. Policies should be easily understandable and relevant to employees. To write effective policies, apply the following guidelines:
• Decide whether a policy is needed for a situation. For example, does the law require a policy Does behavior by employees or managers suggest that they need guidance What would lead to better outcomes-a consistent standard or flexibility
• Find out whether any legal requirements affect the policy. For example, hiring and promotion decisions must meet legal requirements for avoiding discrimination.
• Consult with experts to be sure the needs of the situation are clear. Experts might include employees, managers, and the company's legal advisers.
• Be specific about the policy's purpose, the people it applies to, and the actions to take or avoid. Avoid jargon, and define any terms employees may not fully understand.
• Imagine scenarios where the policy might come into play. Make sure the way the policy applies in each situation is clear and appropriate, revising it if necessary.
• Tell where employees can ask questions or look up answers.
Suppose some employees are coming to work dressed in a way that distracts others. How could writing a dress code policy help in this situation If you were a manager, would you rather handle the situation by referring to a policy or discussing a specific employee's clothing choices Why