| Today's workplaces are complex! Think of the key | | | | It is always prudent to involve and include employees |
| ingredients that go into today's typical organization. | | | | in the process of establishing workplace rules. In the |
| Start with a number of people who possess a wide | | | | case of workforces represented by a union, the |
| range of skills, education and experience. Add a rich | | | | terms of the collective agreement must be followed |
| variety of people from different generations, diverse | | | | and union representatives must be involved. |
| cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Don't forget to | | | | Important Considerations |
| factor in the multiple languages and dialects that are | | | | Employees sometimes feel that their company sets |
| spoken. Throw in complex and costly machinery, | | | | rules simply to exert control over their day to day |
| materials and processes. Add a healthy dose of | | | | working life. They often feel that rules are not |
| customer service. Include a dash of quality and | | | | needed and that instead common sense should |
| efficiency. Don't forget to thoroughly mix in the | | | | prevail. They often don't see the sound reasons |
| myriad of legislation and regulations that apply to | | | | behind an important rule. |
| various workplaces. Et Voila! You have the type of | | | | When establishing and implementing workplace rules, |
| very complex organization that people call their | | | | some very important factors must be considered. |
| workplace. | | | | Many will see these as "common sense" while others |
| Got the recipe right? Good, because the next step is | | | | may view them as unnecessary infringements on |
| to ensure that somehow this juggernaut all works | | | | their right to manage. In any event, the following are |
| together harmoniously and effectively. This involves | | | | some well established principles employers should |
| making some rules and setting policies to guide the | | | | keep in mind: |
| day to day interactions between people, processes | | | | Rules must be clear and unequivocal |
| and the operations of the workplace. | | | | Rules must be reasonable |
| So, Why Do Employers Make Rules? | | | | Rules must be consistently enforced |
| There are a number of very good reasons to set | | | | Where a collective agreement is in place, |
| and establish rules. Most often employers set rules to: | | | | rules must not be inconsistent with its terms and |
| Maintain general good order | | | | conditions |
| Set expectations for behavior and conduct | | | | As an employer, if you plan to enforce workplace |
| Promote consistent and equitable treatment | | | | rules, you must ensure that: |
| of employees | | | | They have been communicated to all |
| Promote product or process quality and | | | | employees affected |
| customer satisfaction | | | | Employees are clearly notified that a breach |
| Ensure the safety, health and well-being of | | | | of the rules can lead to corrective discipline, even |
| workers | | | | termination |
| Provide workplaces that respect the human | | | | Rules are applied consistently, equitably and |
| rights of all present | | | | reasonably |
| Promote workplace harmony and reduce | | | | Employers are encouraged to ensure that rules are |
| unnecessary conflict | | | | posted conspicuously in the workplace and that they |
| After all, employers are legally responsible for the | | | | are regularly communicated to employees at crew |
| conduct and performance of employees in the | | | | meetings and through bulletins, handouts and |
| workplace. Rules are often necessary to ensure | | | | newsletters. New employees should attend a |
| order. | | | | comprehensive orientation that covers all of the rules |
| What Types of Rules Can Employers Make? | | | | and procedures of the workplace that are applicable. |
| Generally, employers are free to implement a wide | | | | Employers are urged to ensure employees not only |
| range of rules and procedures that they feel are | | | | understand the rules but also the sound business |
| necessary to maintain the good order and operations | | | | reasons behind them. When employees understand |
| of the workplace. The rules required can vary greatly | | | | the "why" they are more likely to respect and follow |
| from one organization to the next based upon the | | | | set rules. |
| unique challenges and circumstances of each. | | | | Finally, employers need to ensure that rules are |
| Guidelines for Establishing Workplace Rules | | | | respected by all in the workplace. |