HR Policies – Meaning, Importance and Functions

Human resource policies are defined as specific guidelines that an organization takes in managing its human assets. These are formal rules to recruit, assess, train, and reward the workforce. These are referred to as the framework and the guiding force that assist in making consistent decisions for the welfare of the organization and its employees.

Meaning

The HR policies are an integral part of an organization as it helps to set clear instructions about the working of the company. It is a way to protect your business and prevent any misunderstandings in the future.

When a business entity implements strong policies, it shows its inclination towards a fair workplace that will meet the standards of corporate governance.

The human resource department is entrusted with creating useful and ethical policies for the betterment of the organization.

Why are HR policies Important?

The importance of human resource policies are described below-

1. It ensures that employee needs are respected and looked after in the organization
2. It makes sure that proper benefits are provided to the employees for their work
3. It helps to address employee problems, complaints, and grievances and even provides a way of solving them
4. It ensures proper training and development opportunities are presented to the employees to meet the needs of the organization
5. It offers protection to the employees against anyone in the organization
6. They are essential as it ensures that eligible employees are getting allotted holidays and paid vacations as per their due
7. It is considered vital as it helps to maintain the discipline in the organization
8. It ensures that the employees are receiving fair compensation

What are the Basic HR Policies?

Some of the essential human resource policies are as follows-

1. Anti-harassment and non-discrimination-policy 

The human resource policy of anti-harassment and non-discrimination is governed by the state, federal, and local provisions.

This is why it becomes essential to review the applicable laws and then create one that can stand in any court of law as feasible and lawful. It ensures that the employees do not have to face discrimination and harassment in the workplace of any kind

2. Performance evaluation policy 

The organization should have a proper performance evaluation policy that will keep the employees informed about the methods that the company will follow during performance evaluation.

It should also mention how the performance evaluation will have an impact on their jobs and pay scale.

3. Confidentiality policy 

HR policies in an organization is confidentiality policy. It has become crucial for organizations to be specific about the confidentiality clause.

This is the time when industrial espionage is a reality, and companies should take proper measures to save themselves from intelligence theft. Be specific and underline the resources that will come under the confidential materials.

4. Leave and time-off benefits policy 

Under leave and time-off benefits policy, an organization makes its rules and regulations clear regarding essential aspects like sick leave, vacation time-off, and holidays.

It includes what the organization considers paid leave and what does not come under paid leave. It also informs the employees about leave that has to be taken in case of domestic violence, family issues, voting, and jury duties.

5. At-will employment policy 

One of the essential policies is at-will employment.

It ensures that both the employer and employee have the power to terminate the employment contract at any given time and even without any rhyme or reason, providing that it is legal and lawful.

6. Employment classifications policy 

An organization will have to stipulate employment classifications in its employee handbook to avoid any related misunderstandings later on. It includes exempt, non-exempt, part-time, and full-time employees.

This classification lays the groundwork for overtime pays and benefits that the employees receive while working in the organization.

7. Timekeeping and pay policy 

It is about recording the timing of the work of the employees in an organization.

The pay policy informs about the frequency of paydays, available methods of receiving payment, and the procedure that will be adopted if the payday is a holiday

8. Sexual harassment policy 

One of the main concerns in the workplace is sexual harassment. It is the need of the hour to communicate zero-tolerance towards inappropriate sexual behavior or comments in the workplace.

This policy helps the organization to deal with miscreants appropriately. It is the moral obligation and duty of a business entity to safeguard its employees against any form of sexual harassment. For this, they should have regular sessions in the workplace where related issues can be discussed openly.

9. Meal and break periods policy 

One of the essential policies in an organization is that of meal and break periods. It informs all the employees about the duration as well as the frequency of breaks that can be taken.

The rules and regulations should be clear otherwise the employees will keep on taking an innumerable number of breaks, and this will hamper their levels of efficiency and productivity

10. Safety and Health policy 

It is the responsibility of the organization to provide a safe workplace to its employees.

This is why they draft a safety and health policy at the onset that describes emergency procedures of the company and how they will deal with employees who report work-related injuries.

11. Employee conduct, attendance, and punctuality policy 

As the name suggests, the employee conduct, attendance, and punctuality policy state the organization’s rules and regulations regarding employee conduct, and in case they are not punctual and their attendance in the office is not as per set guidelines.

12. Zero-tolerance for workplace violence policy 

An employer is obliged to protect its employees against workplace violence. It includes intimidation of any form as well as physical violence.

The zero-tolerance for workplace violence policy categorically bans weapons in the workplace

13. Remote worker’s policy 

Times have changed, and organizations understand the changing circumstances. This is the era where both partners are working, and there might be a need for one of them to work from home.

Organizations are allowing more and more people to work from home or any other location until it does not negatively impact their work. The policy states specific time limits and the pay for the workers that work from home.

Functions of HR Policies

The functions of human resource policies are as follows-

1. The function of human resource policy is to act as a viable bridge between the employees and the business entity
2. It lay down specific guidelines for managers and supervisors
3. It helps to communicate the condition of employment to the employees
4. The human resource policies have an essential function of laying down and overseeing employee expectations
5. Its function includes reviewing probable changes that will have an impact on the employees at regular intervals
6. It lay down the groundwork for treating all the employees in an equal and fair manner
7. The human resource policies function is to act as the stepping stone for creating the employee handbook
8. Its function includes communicating the values and goals of the organization to interested stakeholders
9. One of the functions of human resource policies is to communicate the method and way of implementing all the policies across all the levels in an organization
10. To form the context for orientation, employee Onboarding, and supervisor training programs.
11. To create a healthy environment in the workplace
12. It ted to provide a clear picture of employee’s career growth and development in the organization
13. One of the primary functions of human resource policies is to make sure that the policies are aligned to the best practices and legal compliance

Conclusion

Every business entity needs strong policies to establish and maintain order in the workplace. These are proper guidelines that pave the way for moral and ethical behavior in the workplace.

It describes in detail the responsibility of the employer towards the employees working under him and offers guidance to the employees about how they should conduct themselves to maintain the dignity of the place.