Open Dialogue

A Open Dialogue policy encourages employees to raise workplace concerns early and in good faith, and in certain jurisdictions sets out required written notice and waiting-period steps that may apply before an employee resigns and later claims constructive discharge.

How to Write an Open Dialogue Policy

• Start with "why" and introduce the concept.
• Encourage employees to raise concerns early, especially when they feel working conditions may be intolerable or could lead them to resign.
• Explain that written notice is required to preserve certain legal rights related to claims that working conditions forced a resignation.
• State that a waiting period may apply after written notice before an employee resigns.
• Note that leave may be available while your organization reviews and responds to the concern.
• Direct employees to use your existing reporting channel (such as an open door process) to submit concerns.
• Close with where employees can go with questions.

For advice on writing an Open Dialogue policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.