Company policies: what they are, types and characteristics

Organizations are places where people do more than just work. Human contact is inevitable and, from it, an organizational culture is created which is very different from company to company.

That is why, sometimes, among the personnel, norms can be accepted implicitly that all the workers try to follow, but this can become somewhat confusing and lead to misunderstandings

To avoid this type of situation, companies write company policies, with which they specify what workers can and cannot do, what is the philosophy of the organization and how the interaction with buyers should be. Let's take a deeper look at what they are about, in addition to describing some of the types that exist and what is intended to be achieved with them.

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What are company policies?

company policies are statements of general principles that an organization undertakes to respect and enforce. This type of document specifies the rules and guidelines that govern the operation of the company, establishing which is the best way behavior of the workers, how they will relate appropriately with potential clients and how the rest of the documents.

To facilitate the dissemination and understanding of the company's workers, it is recommended that this type of documents do not have more than two pages and that the points addressed are written as clearly as possible.

Once the policy has been drawn up, This must be documented and included in the manuals where the management of the organization is specified.. What is written in it must be respected, implemented and serve as a reference for good behavior and work environment within the organization.

Types of policies according to their scope

Depending on the scope that has been sought to be achieved when preparing the company policy, these can be divided into three types:

1. General policies

They reach the entire organization and mark its general lines. Check that all departments are aware of these policies, since they serve as a guide for the behavior of all company personnel.

2. departmental policies

They are the rules by which each specific department is governed.. Within this type of policy, the most common are those in which the objectives of quality to be achieved by a branch of the organization, environmental policies, risk prevention work…

3. Specific policies

Are those policies that are set to meet momentary needs or temporary activities that the company can carry out at any given time.

Types of policies according to what they address in organizations

There are several standards that must be stipulated in the form of company policies that include a number of aspects. Depending on the characteristics of the organization and its needs, it will be necessary to elaborate different points in the form of company policies. Here are some of the most common:

1. quality management

The company must indicate policies that are aimed at meeting the requirements and commitments set by the company.

They should also indicate how the organization intends to improve quality in the short and long term, and what system it has that is focused on it. This policy should be reviewed periodically.

2. Environmental management

Companies are required comply with current environmental regulations, and promote behaviors such as recycling, reducing pollution, the use of public transport.

It is recommended that the company have some protocol to be able to deal with an incident in which has damaged the environment, although the ideal is to have procedures that guarantee respect for the nature.

3. Security and health at work

It is essential that standards are in place to ensure responsible use of machinery and other tools in the company, with the aim of avoiding accidents and guaranteeing the physical and mental integrity of the staff.

There must also be protocols for action in the event of an accident at work, what are the rights and obligations of the worker for their own safety and that of their colleagues, and to what extent the company is responsible for improper use.

4. corporate governance

It must specify how the organization is led. It is essential to understand who is behind the company's movements, since this will make it possible to clarify what the objectives of this organization are as a whole and what its philosophy is.

5. Staff conduct

Policies focused on this point indicate what are the tasks that employees perform and their responsibilities when they are in the workplace.

This point may be essential to guarantee a good working environment, however aspects that may generate some controversy, that is why it must be made very clear what the agents can and cannot do. workers.

Some of the topics covered at this point are the dress code or when electronic devices can be used to communicate with the family.

6. Compensation and anti-harassment policies

It is essential to specify how the company acts in situations of injustice between employees or if there has been some type of incident related to harassment or abuse of power.

In every organization there should be a clear policy on this, and indicate what rights and compensation employees who have been victims of inappropriate conduct can request.

Disciplinary measures should be indicated for those who have committed the abuse. It is especially important to ensure that when the contract is signed it is clearly indicated what is meant by discriminatory conduct and/or harassment.

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7. substance use

This type of company policies are not so well known because it is usually implicit that in a company alcohol, hallucinogenic drugs and other narcotics may not be consumed inside it or during hours labor. However, given the characteristics of some organizations (eg. beer factory) sometimes it is necessary to specify that it cannot be consumed in the workplace.

It may also be the case that it is necessary to indicate that the consumption of drugs such as tobacco or even substitutes such as electronic cigarettes are not allowed on the premises.

In addition, action plans can be included in case of suspicion that the person who has consumed alcohol at work really could be suffering from a problem of abuse of this substance and, knowing this, the company will act to contribute to its rehabilitation.

8. Privacy and confidentiality

If a service is offered, it is very important that the organization specify to what extent you will use the data of both workers and customers.

This type of policy is usually aimed at protecting the company, but it also makes it possible to offer a certain degree of transparency towards the market and the workers themselves.

Confidentiality policies protect sensitive information held by the organization, in order to guarantee a good legal relationship between staff, the company and buyers.

9. Refund

Depending on what product or service the organization offers, it must be prepared for situations in which the client has expressed dissatisfaction with what they have received.

It must be clear, either on the organization's website or in the instruction manual that the purchased product may have, in which situations the customer will be entitled to a refund.

10. Ethics

It should be clarified what is meant by ethical behavior of staff both when interacting with other workers as facing buyers or people interested in the service of the company.