THE SETTING OF CLEAR RULES IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE:
- Both employees and employer benefit from a clear understanding of what is acceptable/unacceptable behaviour
- Consistency in application gives employees a sense of fairness
- Performance is at least set at a minimum acceptable standard
- Employees are aware of the consequences of failure to abide by the rules
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
- Decide the culture you want to encourage in your organisation
- Consult with managers, employees and their representatives about the rules
- Ensure the rules are as clear and simple as possible
- Make every effort to explain why the rules are necessary and ensure they are understood
- Put the rules in writing
WHAT SORT OF RULES ARE NEEDED?
- Most organisations need to cover subjects such as absences, health and safety, performance standards, capability, timekeeping, holidays and use of company facilities
- Under the heading "absence", for example, indicate when a doctor’s certificate is necessary
- It is especially important to distinguish what constitutes misconduct from gross misconduct e.g. misconduct might include unauthorised absence but gross misconduct might cover fighting at work
- Procedures for grievance and discipline need to be set out in a clear and simple fashion*
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
- The Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service is available to give free advice on this and all other employment relations matters. Just give them a ring on 730503.
*The Employment (Jersey) Law 2003 requires written statements to indicate the existence or otherwise of such procedures.
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