Social media policies used to be few and far between, but it’s now a must-have policy to include in your company’s employee handbook. With so many employees using social media on and off the clock, it’s important to let employees know your expectations. This includes letting employees know when social media usage is appropriate, guidelines regarding content, as well as how social media includes other company policies — such as those related to harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. You also want to make sure your employees understand why a social media policy is necessary.
Every employee handbook should include the company’s overtime policy. When creating this policy, you’ll want to clearly outline which employees are eligible for overtime pay. It’s also important to communicate how overtime pay is calculated, as well as any necessary steps required prior to working overtime. In addition to explaining the policy and how it works, it’s essential that you tell employees why you have the policy in the first place.
When creating your company’s policy related to attendance and punctuality, you’ll want to consider several things. With the increased opportunity to work from home in recent years, it’s important to define how the policies apply to all employees — whether in the office or remote. In addition to outlining the policy and how it will be enforced, it’s essential that you tell employees why you have the policy in the first place.
This beauty is located on N. Candler St. in Decatur, northeast of downtown Atlanta.
Did you know that “dumpster” is a generic trademark, falling into the same category as words like Kleenex or Band-Aid? In 1937, the Dempster brothers of Knoxville, Tennessee, patented a system called the Dempster-Dumpster, which mechanically emptied standardized metal containers. Over time, these metal containers were simply referred to as dumpsters, and the Dempster brothers’ brainchild became a household name.
Your phone chimes, alerting you to a new email. You quickly discover it’s from a former coworker and read the first few lines: “I am participating in a fundraiser for [insert cause]. Will you donate?” Though you don’t delete the email immediately, you close the message because you know its exact purpose: to get you to donate. You’ll think about it, or, more likely, you’ll start thinking of rational-sounding reasons not to contribute.
Imagine, instead, if you open the email and you’re greeted with the following introduction: “June 5th started off like any other day, but it ended with a life-changing diagnosis.” ‘Whoa, where is this going?’ you think. As you continue reading, you learn that your former coworker is fighting a serious illness and is raising money for the cause. You reach for your wallet, inspired to support an old colleague.
What exactly was the difference between the two messages?
Whether or not this is your first rodeo, creating or overhauling an employee handbook is a big project. If you know the traps you might encounter along the way, you can devise a plan to avoid them. These five pieces of advice will help you steer clear of common pitfalls during your next handbook project.
Happy 100th Bugle! There’s just something special about the number 100. It’s the sum of the first nine prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 and 23). It’s the total number of United States Senators. It’s the amount of tiles in a game of Scrabble. It’s how many Bugles we’ve carefully crafted for your enjoyment…you’re welcome.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, look at these awesome HR, leadership and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: Has social distancing driven you to a place of self-reflection? Rather than viewing your imperfections negatively, this Bugle’s Article ‒ er, Video ‒ of the Week might help you view them in a different light. Look for the ✦ below, you beautifully flawed specimen.
Want to pick the brains of other HR professionals? We’ve done it for you by compiling a list of the top six resources to help you write handbook policies and procedures. Click away!
Feeling hesitant about taking the handbook updating plunge? We know it’s hard. Before diving head-first into our complete How to Write Policies and Procedures guide, test the waters with these top tips for writing policies and procedures.
Although we saved this topic for last, it’s arguably one of the most important handbook decisions you’ll make. Before you’re buried in policies and procedures, be sure you’ve nailed down your handbook delivery method. Your chosen distribution channel will change the way you present content to your audience, so it’s important to know before you start writing.
