In 2018 over 20,000 workers were victims of traumatic workplace violence. If your company is looking to avoid such catastrophic incidences, having a set employee code of conduct is essential.
Read on to find out what a solid employee code of conduct includes and learn some code of conduct tips applicable to your organization. That way your work environment will be safe and productive for all of your team members.
1. Make It Inclusive
You want to make sure that your employee code of conduct is accepting of all demographics and types of people. Make sure that no employees feel ostracized or targeted by any of your rules or standards.
2. Keep It Simple
Nobody wants to have to cut through a bunch of legalese and red tape to figure out the rules at their workplace. Write your code of conduct in simple language that is easy for everyone to understand.
3. Provide a Communication Chain
You must make it clear in your code of conduct manual who an employee should contact in the event of a code of conduct violation. This means establishing a hierarchal chain of communication for grievances.
It also means incorporating strategies that allow low-level employees to “jump the chain” if they are being targeted by a supervisor at any level, and still have a person they can report violations to without being subject to retaliation.
4. Incorporate Safety Data Sheets
Keeping safety data sheets promote accountability and provide a written record of potential hazards employees may face in the workplace. They are a vital aspect of any employee code of conduct and should be used whenever possible.
5. Punish Employee Code of Conduct Violations
Your employee code of conduct needs to be stern but fair. It should also include penalties for conduct violations ranging from firings to suspensions. Put it in clear language so that employees understand the cost of their actions.
6. Listen to Feedback
Having a successful code of conduct involves a two-way communication channel between employees and employers. If employees provide feedback on favorable or unfavorable aspects of your code of conduct, listen to them.
While you may not have to bend to every whim, listening to overwhelming employee support or dissatisfaction can help shape your policies to be more successful in the future.
7. Provide a Hardcopy
During the onboarding process, you should provide a hardcopy of codes of conduct to each and every employee. This gives them something to reference when needed and also gives them accountability in the event of a violation.
8. Be Positive
Your employee code of conduct should focus on practices that make up an ideal employee. That way it will seek to bring your people up, rather than drag them down with rules and regulations.
9. Define a Clear Purpose
The purpose of your employee code of conduct should be in bold at the top of the page. That way, even if your employees skim through the rest of the document the main idea of it won’t be lost on them.
10. Craft a Mission Statement
While similar to a clear purpose, a mission statement is more of a statement of broad intention that your company hopes to carry out. This encompasses the values that your company holds dear, and the direction you hope to see it head.
Code of Conducts Are Essential
If you want your organization to become and remain successful, an employee code of conduct is an integral piece of your company’s moral fabric. Good codes of conduct prevent discrimination, violence, and increase productivity.
Craft a well thought out code of conduct for your business today. For all of your other news and information make sure to check out the rest of our website.
