A Policy Manual is a comprehensive document that details all necessary policies, procedures, rules, and best practices of a company. It is written for employees to identify the business’s standards, processes, and procedures. It also contains the company’s mission, values, and prospects.
What does a Policy Manual include?
As Policy Manuals are pretty detailed, they often include a contents page to break down and locate information. Necessary policies can vary depending on the occupation; some have company policies, general expectations, code of conduct, workplace safety policies and procedures, emergency management policies, incident reporting policies, return to work policies, workplace bullying policies, risk management policies, hazardous chemical management policies, vehicle policies, environmental policies, and management/worker policy agreements.
What are the benefits?
A Policy Manual can:
- Provide clear responsibilities, expectations, behaviour, and performance for employees.
- Assist in assessing employee performance and establishing accountability.
- Allow uniformity and consistency through decision-making procedures.
- Provide equality, removing favouritism or discrimination.
- Reinforce organisation values.
- Demonstrate the business is efficient, stable, and diligent.
- Maintain the direction of the company, including through change periods.
- Add strength to staff when possible legal actions arise.
- Save time when a problem can be solved through a policy.
- Maintain workplace safety.
What do I have to include in my Policy?
Policies will vary depending on the business. For example, Hospitality companies require Manual Handling Policies, Hairdressing companies need Chemical Management Policies, Manufacturing companies should include Plant and Equipment Policies and Trades require Plant and Equipment or High-Risk Construction Work Policies. The Construction industry also requires an updated SWMS, which ensures the safety of employees, visitors, staff, and clients in the workplace. Please contact us if you need this updated.
At Safety Management Consulting, we assist you in creating a Policy Manual that is personalised for your business and premises to keep WorkSafe compliant. They are essential for ensuring the safety of all clients, visitors, and employees in the workplace. We construct the Manual to include your business’s policy requirements and can assist in updating the Policy Manual, when the business changes. We are available to work with you Australia-wide. Contact us to get started.