Basic policies in the organization
The scope of policies in each company and organization varies according to the size, type, and complexity of its business and processes. Generally, the larger the company, the more policies, work procedures, and other internal regulations it has. Organizations usually create only those policies for which they have a purpose and reason. At the very least, they must have policies that are mandated by legislation.
List of the most common policies in companies
The list of the most common policies may vary from country to country and state to state, but the majority of them are as follows:
- Organizational rules - management of the organization, processes, behavior of people, working hours, competencies and signature patterns, circulation of accounting documents,
- Financial and accounting standards - accounting rules, depreciation rules, asset-by-asset accounting, inventory and archiving of accounting documents,
- Information security and physical security
- Equal opportunity policy
- Workplace health and safety, Workplace protective equipment (PPE)
- Employee code of conduct policy
- Attendance, vacation, and time-off policies
- Employee disciplinary action policy
- Employee complaint policies
- Ethics policy
- Work schedule and rest period policies
- Substance abuse policies
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies
- Property and facility management - maintenance and management of company assets
- Security policy, Information security policy
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Anti-Bribery Policy
Mandatory and optional policies
- Each country has a specific list of mandatory policies that are required by law
- Beyond these mandatory policies, each company decides and creates the policies and work procedures it needs to manage the company
Examples of specific policies
- Guidelines for dealing with common situations (standards of behaviour, travel expenses or purchase of company goods)
- Procurement Policy
- Access control policy
- Safe conduct guidelines (e.g. building entry or cyber security)
- Rules for presence or absence in the workplace, homeoffice
- General company rules on best behaviour (dress code, email, internet or phone usage)
- Compliance with various legal and legislative requirements
- Establishing consistent work standards, rules and regulations (work discipline, safety rules, breaks or smoking rules)
- Ensuring fair treatment of employees (eligibility for benefits, paid time off, tuition assistance, bereavement care, or jury service)
- Performance management principles
- Employee conduct policy
- Internet and social media use policy
- Compensation and Benefits Policy
- Legal issues for the company (to avert allegations of harassment or discriminatory hiring and promotion)