HR Policy and Procedure Manual Template Part 1

HR Policy and Procedure Manual Template Note: Delete this and the next three pages once you complete tailoring the template for your own business. Who should use this template? This manual is designed to be used by any small business owner or operator who employs people in their business. Why use a HR policy and procedure manual? In short, this manual helps you to establish robust structure and a basic set rules that you will use to manage your people on a day to day basis. This is important because using a structured approach from day one will help you to ensure: that: you meet your basic legal obligations that you help your people managers to make consistent and reliable decisions – this promotes a culture of fairness that you have established a clear understanding of expectations, rules and consequences that you welcome and introduce your employees to your business and their new job It takes some effort to complete, but brings definite long-term benefits as it will minimise the incidence of people reverting to their own set of rules which in turn reduces disputes or grievances caused by confusion, and it adds to the overall professionalism of your business operations. How to complete this template Designed to be customised This template for a HR manual is made up of example topics and sections. It is completely customisable based on your specific requirements, in fact the more time you spend tailoring it to your specific requirements the more effective it will be. Include what you must and can comply with This document should be used in conjunction with your contract of employment, and any specific company procedures and processes. Only include the commitments you are confident you can comply with, make sure you update and review the document regularly. Important: You may have legal obligations to your employees under an employment or industrial agreement such as an award, workplace agreement or employment contract. Make absolutely certain what’s written in this document is consistent with these. If you’re unsure what covers your employees, contact Fair Work Australia by calling the Fair Work Ombudsman Infoline on 13 13 94. To complete the template: 1. Guidance text appears throughout the document, marked by the word Guidance. Where you see a guidance note, read and then delete it. Guidance has been added to help you complete the template and should not appear in your final version. 2. Using Word's Replace function, search for {Business Name} and replace with your company name. a) In Word's Home ribbon, open the Find and Replace tool, choose Replace to open the Find and Replace tool. The Find and Replace dialog opens with the Replace tab selected. b) Enter {Business Name} in the Find what field. c) Enter your company name in the Replace with field. d) Click Replace All 3. Replace {items in angle brackets}with your own wording. 4. Where you see a reference to other policies, insert a link to another example policy that applies in your business 5. Once you have finished work on the template, delete the first four pages of the document. 6. Lastly refresh the page numbers in the table of contents. o Right mouse click on the table of contents o In the small menu that appears, choose ‘Update Field’ then ‘Update page numbers only’. Other tips To stop this HR manual sitting on a desk collecting dust, make it a living document. Ask your people for their thoughts on how to improve it. Then review it every six months. Use this document as a key resource in your induction process. Leave the words ‘Document valid when printed only’ in the footer to remind the reader they might be using an out-of-date copy. (The ‘Last printed’ date automatically updates in the footer when you print. You don’t need to update this.) Try to destroy or archive all out-of-date copies. The writing style doesn’t need to be formal or longwinded to be effective. Use simple sentences and plain English to reduce the chance an employee or manager will be confused about the intent of your policy or the way to carry out a procedure. Note: Delete this and the previous page once you complete the template. Our Company History Guidance: In this section you should explain how your business started and how it has evolved into the business it is today, don’t be afraid to tell your personal story so that people can buy in to your vision and values. Below is an example to get you started. The story of {Business Name} starts in 2008 when Janet Howie and Lucy Smith saw a gap in the SME market for quality Accounting Services. There was a need for more pragmatic, service focused providers who were willing to partner and grow with businesses and take on a role of a trusted business advisor. Since 2008 {Business Name} now works with over 100 SME’s in Victoria across all industries.. {Business Name} aims to at all times maintain the upmost levels of service for our customers and strives to place itself at the forefront of Business Advisory Services within the Accounting industry. What We Do Guidance: In this section you should explain what your business does so an overview of products and services offered. Below is an example to get you started. At {Business Name} we provide the following products and services to our clients: Compliance and Risk services Auditing services Company Secretarial administration Taxation services Business Advisory services General bookkeeping Reporting Our Clients Guidance: In this section you should outline the clients and industries that you service. Below is an example to get you started. At {Business Name} we service many businesses from a variety of industries, we are proud to list the following clients: {Insert Logos of your biggest clients here} Our mission, vision and values Guidance: It is important to communicate your purpose or roadmap for success. This includes where you are headed and the expected values and behaviours you want your people to demonstrate on the way. Mission Statement: Your roadmap should start with your mission, it declares your purpose as a company and serves as the standard against which you weigh your actions and decisions. For example, a Mission Statement for the Accounting businesses may be: {Business Name}’s mission is to help our clients build and develop sustainable, profitable businesses. Vision Statement: Our aim is to be: Known for high quality outcomes Known for growth strategies Values: Respected Trusted Advisors Experts Flexible Your employment Guidance: In this section you should tailor the information based on the general customs and practices of your business. Below is an example to get you started. Your employment with {Business Name} is essentially governed by your contract of employment, {Business Name} Policies, in conjunction with this Manual. The following section provides general information regarding your pay, conditions and our expectations of you. Payroll Your pay cycle is {weekly/fortnightly/monthly}. Our pay cycle runs from Monday to Sunday over a two-week period and pays are processed on Tuesdays, fortnightly. Depending on which bank you use, some people may be able to access their pay on Thursdays because this is the day payroll is actually processed. Pays will be automatically deposited electronically into the bank account details provided to {Business Name}. Taxation payments are automatically deducted from your salary. Superannuation payments are paid into your nominated fund. Changing Pay Details Please advise the {Insert Position Title} via email should you wish to change any pay details like changing or closing your bank account. Please ensure you notify us prior to the date you wish for the change to be effective by. Your payroll contact is the {Insert Position Title} and all requests for changes should be made via email. Hours of Work Office/Business hours are generally between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Your hours of work will depend on business needs and the requirements of the work you are assigned. Your Manager will work with you to establish your standard hours of work and break times. {Business Name} adopts a common-sense approach to managing work hours. Overtime and Additional Hours Guidance note (delete this later) Delete or adapt this section as relevant. Overtime is work which is performed at the direction of the manager and which is more than your contracted hours of work. If you cannot for some reason work reasonable additional or overtime hours you must notify your Manager as soon as practicable with the reasons as to why. Lateness for work Any absence or late arrival due to illness, injury or any other reason, and the expected duration of leave must be personally reported to your supervisor as soon as practicable (and prior to your normal starting time wherever possible). If you are unable to do this personally, you are requested to ask someone to telephone on your behalf. Subsequent to this, you must keep your Manager informed of your progress. Wherever possible you should make dental, medical, business or other appointments outside your normal working hours. It is essential that you are ready to commence work at your normal commencement time as other employees and the business depend upon you and your contribution. Reimbursement of Expenses {Business Name} will reimburse employees for pre-approved expenses properly incurred by employees in the proper performance of their duties. Reimbursement will be subject to employees providing the Practice with receipts or other evidence of payment and of the purpose of each expense, in a form reasonably required by the {Business Name}. Employees will also be required to complete the Expense Reimbursement Form which is included in the Office Forms section of this Manual. Travel Reasonable travelling expenses, where incurred in the performance of an employee’s duties, will be reimbursed, provided that all claims are made on the appropriate form, signed by the appropriate Manager and supported with the necessary substantiating documentation. The payment of expenses is at all times subject to the prior authorisation of, and at the discretion of, the Practice. Employees should arrange travel and accommodation through the {Business Name} preferred travel supplier prior to departure. Generally, air travel will be by economy class, with a carrier chosen by the {Business Name}.