Have you recently turned into an entrepreneur, or someone already has a start-up? Then this article will solve your questions clouding your mind and clear your doubts. Few questions that would be coming to your mind:
- Whether HR policies required for a start-up?
- What all entails in HR policies?
- How establishing a policy will be helpful for your organization?
- Is it mandatory to have HR policies in place?
Why are HR policies required for an organization?
Well, anyone starting an organization would have these questions.
To cite an example, one of the crucial bones that helps maintain our body posture and remain straight is the Spinal cord—the backbone of your body. Similarly, HR policies are the backbone, and establishing them like the skeleton of an organization that may not be visible but always helps maintain the organization’s culture and legal compliances.
HR Policies define the roles and responsibilities of an employee and help guard the interests of both parties. Of course, as a growing organization, you would like that the employee is productive at work. Having HR policies will guide the employees and lead them to have a sense of responsibility, discipline, and dedication.
A well-documented policy will give you answers and is always considered legal proof in a court of law. Here are some points that encompass HR policies:
What points your HR Policies should include?
- Anti-harassment & non-discrimination policy: This is governed by Central and State law; hence it becomes all the more crucial to establish this policy to ensure that employees are not discriminated against and face harassment in the workplace of any kind.
- Confidential policy: Another important policy for both the organization and the employee. The employee should also feel trusted to join an organization, and similarly, an organization also feels assured with a Confidentiality policy. As per this policy, if an employee leaks or infringes the company’s confidential information, the organization can take legal action. Even employees can be terminated with immediate effect. Hence, companies should take proper measures beforehand to save themselves from data theft.
- Employment Details: Any organization always needs a workforce to grow. The proper hiring requires a formatted offer, appointment letter, maintaining employee file, code of conduct, and experience & relieving letter when an employee exits. This policy clearly defines the employment details, which helps the existing & prospective employees and organization to have clarity on the various aspect of employment.
- Offer letter: Sets out a clear message to the prospective candidate for his proposed compensation, office location, job title, date of joining, and department. Offer Letter helps set the information clear in an official document, which makes it helpful if they may argue about office location or compensation later.
- Appointment Letter: Further to acceptance of the Offer Letter, the Appointment Letter is mostly handed over to the employee on the joining date. This document outlines the job details like whether the employee is hired: part-time or full-time, exempt or non-exempt category, working hours, notice period, termination clause, leaves policy etc.
- Sexual Harassment Policy: It is a mandatory policy as per Indian Laws. This policy helps monitor and manage any type of sexual harassment irrespective of the gender at the workplace. The government has also taken various measures in this regard; hence as an organization, it is imperative to share with the employees that they have zero tolerance, and this helps safeguard employees against any form of sexual harassment.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Putting the IPR policy in place will help to ensure that employees are not misusing the company’s logo, information, innovation or trade secrets for their benefit. The outline must be specific, siting the course of legal action or punishment that might incur if someone is found with IPR infringement.
- Employee conduct, attendance, and punctuality policy: As the name suggests, the employee conduct concerning their working hours, daily attendance, and punctuality as per the organization’s rules and regulations which come under employee conduct. If it is not found punctual, this policy will help to take action against them to improve the work timings and efficiency as per set guidelines.
- Remote Workers policy: The times have certainly changed significantly after the Pandemic (Coronavirus). Many organizations provide the flexibility to work from home, while some may like to work from the office. Hence, chalking out this policy will define employees’ working hours, pay grades, work profiles that can work from home, and other privileges.
Some of the policies that need an hour, considering the changing environment and working conditions these days are:
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
- Social Media Policy
- Drug & alcohol policy
In today’s time, it’s the need of the hour to have a solid legal grounding as you start your organization. Don’t take the easy route to bypass the mandatory and crucial HR policies, as these will only provide sustenance. If any unwelcome incident occurs, you’ll have the documented procedures to fall back.
It’s better late than never, and I leave you with this to start your exploration.
Please feel free to reach out to the Businezexcellence Team, if you need any support.
All the best! Wishing you success Dear Entrepreneur
“Don’t live in fear when you can be fearless. Do your hard work on the future that you dreamt of!”
Ft. Kriti Kulshrestha
