What HR People Say About Company Policies & Compliance

The June 7th SHRM #NextChat polled the HR experts on the problem of employee manuals. The question of the day: Should employers do away with their manuals? Here are some highlights from the conversation about policies & compliance.

Creative employee manuals: Is the best employee manual the one that doesn't exist?

What are the good aspects of policy?

A1 If the policies are written as a reflection of the org’s culture, they can be a powerful resource. #Nextchat https://t.co/vLtw3ZXWJb

— Christopher Orozco (@ChrisOrozco72) June 7, 2017

 

Written policies can provide clarity around expectations if there is uncertainty & allow all leadership to have the same message. #nextchat

— Wendy Dailey (@wyndall93) June 7, 2017

 

What about policies that do more harm than good...

Like Policies concerning social media?

I'm against them in general. But that's just me. :) #nextchat https://t.co/p1ss7ynTmx

— Mary Faulkner (@mfaulkner43) June 7, 2017

 

And getting the job done?

A2 They can take away the autonomy our people need to do their jobs, especially in complex and varying situations. #Nextchat https://t.co/kshiDt94Ca

— Christopher Orozco (@ChrisOrozco72) June 7, 2017

And What About attendance POLICIES?

Most times employment policies aren't as agile as they need to be. Or should I say flexible. They don't change with the times #nextchat

— sicario (@DAVIDUZZZI) June 7, 2017

 

I loathe attendance policies. Can't we just come to work like adults? #nextchat https://t.co/NMnlfcd5D8

— Kelli S.,PHR,SHRM-CP (@HrMillennial) June 7, 2017

 

A3 Give employees discretion & support them when they need leave FOR ANY REASON. #nextchat

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) June 7, 2017

 



Related Article: 26 Sample Employee Handbook Policies for Improved Compliance

What are the takeaways?

And don't let rules get in the way of ethics and morality. If policies prevent risk, kindness and fairness is a better answer. #NextChat https://t.co/RdwAA1rbg0

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) June 7, 2017

 

A3 Never use a policy when what you really need to do is train people on what matters and why. #nextchat

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) June 7, 2017

 

What steps should you take with your policies?

Ask why.

I got myself uninvited to policy reviews because I always ask "but why?" And some of the 30 yr employees hated it. #Nextchat

— Kristina Minyard (@HRecruit) June 7, 2017

 

Put people first.

Process over people. Never a good idea. #Nextchat https://t.co/JTzBBPgwhV

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) June 7, 2017

 

A6 Genuine care is key here, not a policy. We need to build relationships/trust with our people in order to fix performance. #Nextchat https://t.co/j8zClGwWsy

— Christopher Orozco (@ChrisOrozco72) June 7, 2017

 

Talk about it.

We've done something radical by "talking" w/ our emps on purpose every. day. - It's drastically reduced discipline situations !! #nextchat

— Steve Browne (@sbrownehr) June 7, 2017 

A7 2 Use your lack of policy as an opportunity to connect. Listen, learn, guide. #nextchat

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) June 7, 2017

 

And if they could write better policies in just 140 characters:

Leave/PTO

A8: Being present is not mandatory, though you are responsible for completing your projects on time and on budget. #HR #nextchat

— Sean Mitchell, CHRL (@RealSeanatello) June 7, 2017 

A8: PTO - Enjoy your time off and don't check in. We'll be fine and can't wait until you come back renewed and refreshed !! #nextchat

— Steve Browne (@sbrownehr) June 7, 2017

Social Media

We trust you to be smart on social media. If you wouldn't say it in front of your grandma, don't type it about our company. #nextchat

— Tess Ausman (@CLTleads) June 7, 2017 

A8: Social media is another form of communication. So, communicate well. We know you will !! #nextchat

— Steve Browne (@sbrownehr) June 7, 2017

 

On Policies Themselves

A8 The policy for all policies: be good to each other. #Nextchat https://t.co/GtOxImDHcp

— Christopher Orozco (@ChrisOrozco72) June 7, 2017

 

The only policy you need: "Do the right thing." #nextchat

— Micole Kaye (@socialmicole) June 7, 2017

 

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