Taslim Ahammad :
Running a business organization without HR policy is basically saying to staffs that business is not interested in creating a framework that shows them how to be positive and successful at work. Just alike people need laws to create order and common tolerances, likewise business need a suitable HR policy.
HR policy of a company is a set of rules, procedures and guidelines that govern the company’s interactions with its staffs. HR policies are the proper rules and guidelines that organizations put in place to hire, train, assess, and reward the members of their staffs. It flow from the overall strategic plan of the business, and usually developed in consultation with management and all other workforces.
HR Policies are important as they provide structure, control, consistency, fairness, and reasonableness. It also confirms compliance with employment legislation and informs workers of their duties and the business’s prospects. Policies assist a number of important functions, such as: (i) process of selecting and recruiting employees (ii) process of giving equal opportunities to the employees (iii) safeguarding the employee’s self-respect in their job (iv) procedures of discipline and injustices (v) procedures of safety of the worker (vi) code of conduct (vii) procedure of managing the worker leaves (viii) retirement pay and pension policies (ix) Communicate values and expectations for organization (x) Compliance with legislation and provide protection against employment rights (xi) data protection, documentation and implementation of best practices appropriate to the business (xii) support consistent treatment of staff, fairness and transparency (xiii) help management to make decisions that are consistent, uniform and predictable (xix) support business strategy and (xx) develop a more formal and consistent approach that will meet their needs the business grow. Hence, HR policies provide guidance for workforces and management on how to handle a range of employment matters. It plays an important role in practically and effectively implementing a business’s HR strategy. It also provides consistency and transparency for workers and managers, helping to enhance the psychological contract and create a positive business culture.
The policy of a business organization also identified as the guiding principle of the business used to set direction for the employees working in the organization. Although procedures step by step direct that needs to be followed with consistency and continually lead the business on the way to its set goals. HR policies and procedure once combined together they guide and help the workers or the management responsible for using and setting up the processes by directing them and giving them the consistency for successful development of processes.
Together the HR policies and procedure need to work suitably for the system of the business to work well. This policies and procedures try to remove or minimize mistakes, making the operations of the business work smoothly. HR policies and procedure creates the processes of the business more transparent, this makes the system function smoothly.
There are no single-fits-all approaches to designing effective HR policies; their content should be based on the sole needs and characteristics of the organisation and its workers. Instead of adopting a best practices approach that may be inappropriate for a variety of organizational contexts, focusing on why a specific policy is needed, and how it aligns with business strategy and business plans, allows an appropriate policy to be implemented for a specific context. However, specific HR policies and procedures are required to comply with legal requirements.
Business wants to make sure that any policies develop in the organization address a real need and are consistent with company’s values and how the work should be done. Business also needs to make sure managers have the skills and resources so they can implement and monitor the policy.
Whatever the approach, the key to success is devoting time and resources to developing policy and practice strategies for the business before need. It is an investment that can pay big profits in increasing productivity and reducing litigation. It is an essential component of overall people strategy. Many organizations do not have their own HR department or one that is not in a position to develop individual strategy and policies.
In order to shape a very good business organization, it is essential for workers to be able to work together peacefully. This is only attainable by having a suitable set of policies and procedures in a business organization.
Policies keep changing with, time, with people and with occasions in business organizations. Hence, HR policies need to be updated in every organization time to time. It’s eventually up to the staff members and employees to put them into action, and provide a safe working environment for all.
(Taslim Ahammad, Chairman, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj)
