HR policies are formalized guidelines and rules that organizations establish to handle matters concerning their employees.
Be it drafting a new policy or refining the existing policy, an HR policy should be very simple, effective and compliant with the labour laws in India. This ensures that each policy drafted delivers clarity and improves employee engagement in the organization.
In simple words, crafting effective HR policies is a blend of art and science, and it's pivotal for the successful functioning of any organisation.
So here are a few guidelines to keep in mind while creating new HR policies or making changes to your existing HR policies -
1. Understand and define the purpose of each HR policy 🎯
Are you trying to foster a positive work culture? Or is it just the compliance? Or is it both?
Any HR policy you draft should clearly explain the purpose behind its introduction. Your intent will shape the contents mentioned inside the policy.
2. Researching the legal framework ⚖️
Every industry has its own legal framework attached to it. So, as an HR who is drafting HR policies, it is essential to understand the Indian labour laws to abide by.
Overall, this policy should be compliant with the industry standards, local and national laws and health and safety regulations.
3. Consult & collaborate 🫱🏽🫲🏽
Stakeholders of the company say the management, staff, the customers will have certain expectations and concerns, hence it's essential to get their input. Along the same lines, it becomes more important to get feedback from the employees to ensure buy-in and clarity.
4. Making it crystal clear 📘
Jargon and legalistic language can be confusing and hard to understand. An ideal HR policy should be concise & simple to understand. You can also provide examples to clarify examples.
The addition of bullet points and structuring it in a proper format like purpose, scope, policy statement, definition and procedure can also bring a lot of clarity.
5. Constant review and updates 📝
Any HR policy should not be static. Make sure you constantly review it, get feedback and make the necessary changes to the existing policy to make it relevant, compliant and effective.
Understand that there might be exceptions based on unique circumstances, so HRs be sure to be flexible when it's reasonable and justifiable.
You should always keep in mind that the HR policies of your organization are always accessible to your workforce. Store them in an easily accessible location, whether it's a physical binder in a common area, an intranet site, or a shared electronic folder.
Ensure fairness in the applicability of the policy regardless of the seniority. This speaks a lot about your company culture.
There you have it! Happy crafting! ✂️📜🎉
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