Why do businesses need a policy?

If your policy is 20 pages of bureaucratic fluff, no one will bother to read it. For someone to want to read it, it has to be worth reading. But how do you make a policy readable?

In this article, we look at the essential foundation - policies exist for a reason. So we've listed three good reasons to have policies.

1. to avoid embarrassment

Suddenly you get hacked because someone had "trustno1" as a password (it's actually one of the most common passwords). Suddenly the wrong person makes a statement in the media, completely wrong and wearing sweatpants. Suddenly it emerges that a colleague has happily gone on a trip abroad that was much more fun than useful. There are many potentially embarrassing situations, and of course you can never be sure of everything. But if you have a policy on passwords, media contacts, dress, bribery or hospitality, you can avoid at least these situations.

Life is full of small and big worries. You're a new employee and you're wondering about the dress code (and it's important, because others unconsciously judge you by your clothes). You need prescription glasses and wonder what the rules are. You have received an unpleasant email. You have been too busy for the last six months. You have been contacted by the media. What do you do? The answers are in the policies. That's where your security lies.

3. to comply with laws and regulations

Some policies are required by law. For example, all companies with 10 or more employees are required to have a health and safety policy. Sometimes it can also be written into the collective agreement that you must have a certain policy. Policies can also work the other way around, as a tool to help you comply with laws. For example, you can take the opportunity to refer to and explain the laws that apply to holidays - a nice service for all employees.

OK, policies are good - but how do we write a good policy?
Here's how to write a policy document that employees will want to read.