Implementing a Lasting Company Policy

Change can be difficult for any individual to handle.  When the shock of change is multiplied across a large workforce, the difficulties and stress are multiplied as well.

Although change can be a scary, difficult thing for a large number of employees to grasp at once, managers and supervisors can make changes in company policy easier for their teams to understand and implement.  Here are a few ways to make change easier for your workers and to implement a company policy that lasts.

1. 1.      Collaborate where you can.  Employees find policy changes easier to grasp and to follow when they understand how the policy works and what problems it is meant to correct.  When employees are involved in the formation of a policy change, their understanding increases because they have been part of identifying both the problem and the solution.  Including employees in policy creation also creates buy-in; workers are more likely to enforce a policy they had a hand in creating.
2. 2.      Communicate thoroughly.  Early and regular communication with employees helps make the transition from an old policy to a new one go more smoothly.  Even when employees cannot be involved in the policy-creation process, alerting them about why the policy is needed, what changes are expected, how they should be implemented, when a new policy goes into effect, and to whom they can turn with questions will help them become comfortable with the change and prepare themselves to “hit the ground running” when the change takes effect.
3. 3.      Obtain legal review.  Before presenting a completed policy to your employees, ask your attorney to review it.  Legal review is imperative if the policy is contentious by nature or affects employees’ privacy or other rights, such as a policy implementing new security measures.  Remind your attorney to avoid “legalese” in favor of plain language your employees can easily understand. Confusion over wording increases the risk of a legal challenge.
4. 4.      Make the policy accessible.  When the policy is presented to employees, give each a printed copy to keep.  Employees can read it closely at their leisure and keep it in their personal files for review.  In addition, keep a copy of the policy accessible to employees.  You may consider putting it in the employee handbook or in a shared computer file within the company’s network.

At THE RIGHT STAFF, LLC, our staffing partners have the expertise and connections necessary to help you find and keep top talent – even in times of change. Contact us today to learn more!