Foundations for Success: The Value of Written Policies in Small Businesses
Having well-written and recorded policies for your business is a good practice and will lay the foundation for success. Clear policies provide employees with consistent guidelines, reducing confusion and ensuring everyone is aligned with the company’s goals and values. They also help small businesses operate efficiently by streamlining decision-making processes and minimizing errors. Whether it’s workplace safety, customer service standards, or operational procedures, documented policies set the tone for professionalism and accountability.
In addition to day-to-day operations, recorded policies protect small businesses from potential legal and regulatory risks. They demonstrate compliance with industry standards, provide clarity in disputes, and serve as a point of reference during audits or evaluations. In a rapidly changing business landscape, having clear policies allows small businesses to adapt and grow with confidence, ensuring stability and trust with employees, clients, and partners alike.
Does your business have the right policies in place?
Murray Whitby, President of POLICY PROTEC and friend of Benefit Strategies, is a compliance consultant and policy and procedure expert in Edmonton. He recommends every Canadian employer implement and update the following seven required policies:
- Duty to accommodate policy. Required by human rights laws. Includes accommodating not just employees, but customers, job applicants, and others.
- Performance improvement policy. Previously called, “progressive discipline”. It’s the policy you use when an employee’s performance is not meeting expectations.
- Workplace harassment policy. Required by human rights and health and safety laws. Includes bullying and sexual harassment, no matter who is the source or the victim.
- Workplace violence policy. Required by health and safety laws. Includes domestic violence. Keep it separate from your harassment policy.
- Health and safety governance policy. All employers require multiple health and safety policies, including this overarching one.
- Company property policy. Protect your intellectual and physical assets. Clearly set out the rules for their acquisition, use, and disposal.
7. Acceptable use of information technology policy. Stay on the good side of Canada’s Anti-SPAM / anti-hate speech laws. Protect your intellectual property and your brand.
To learn more, contact POLICY PROTEC for a free consultation.
