By Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association Executive Manager Employment and Training Elisha Radwanowski.
As part of the 2021-2022 Employment Guides Pack ACAPMA has released the ‘Business Policy Guide.’ This detailed Guide outlines the role and value of business policies, as well as detailing the traps associated with poor polices and poorly applied policies. The Guide also includes a comprehensive policy set for fuel transport and retail, along with detailed instructions for the implementation of policies for managers.
Business policies can be a valuable tool in the workplace. For new staff a detailed and complete business policies plays a large role in explaining the expectations of the business. For the business, having complete and appropriate business policies in place has the benefit of facilitating the onboarding of staff, but also to form a cornerstone of the performance management process by explaining the expectations of the business and the responses that the business will take to breaches.
Business policies are one of those things that is not a legal requirement, but can be such a valuable tool that all businesses should take the time to understand and implement them in their businesses. I say can be, because so often we see business policies that, due to inappropriate wording, inclusion of time and person details that can not be met, or due to simply not being used, are actually a risk to the business. Business policies can guide new staff, remind existing staff and greatly inform performance management processes, but they must reflect the reality in the business.
It seems simple, but a policy is not an aspiration. If a business has a policy that forbids a certain behaviour, but the business actively allows that behaviour, it can bring into question the applicability of all of the business policies. That said, plain language, high level business policies, backed up by detailed task instructions and checklists are able to deliver real value to all businesses, – they just have to reflect reality.
The ‘ACAPMA Guide 2021-2022 – Business Policies Guide’ is available to all ACAPMA members now by request to employment@acapma.com.au and will be emailed directly to all members with the completed Guide pack in the coming weeks.
Here to help
HR Highlights are things to consider, implement and watch out for in your business. They are provided as general advice and you should seek further advice on your situation by calling 1300 160 270 and speaking to one of ACAPMA Workplace Relations Professionals – it’s free for members.
Published with permission from ACAPMA.
Source: https://acapmag.com.au/2021/08/acapma-releases-business-policy-guide/
