Set up employment policies for your business

Company policies and facilities

It is good practice to set out your business' expectations on more general company policies such as dress code and use of company facilities.

Dress code
Unless there are health and safety considerations involved, employers can usually set their own dress code. You must ensure that these codes are non-discriminatory. Employees should be made aware of those types of dress code which are not suitable. You can download the code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures from the Acas website (PDF).

Use of company facilities
It's a good idea to set up clear policies about the use of company facilities. These may apply to employee's use of the Internet, email and the telephone. Setting down boundaries regarding personal use of these facilities will help to minimise the risk of disciplinary or legal action and harm to your IT system. Most policies will try to strike a balance between business and personal use. See our guide on how to introduce an Internet and email policy.

Read about Internet and email policies on the Acas website.

Another area where your business will benefit from the setting down of clear guidelines is in drugs and alcohol abuse and smoking. These form part of your responsibilities for health and safety. See our guide on smoking policies, drugs and alcohol abuse.

Policy-making may provide details of support on offer to employees and clarify when disciplinary action may be taken. The right of search is restricted to where the employees' contract of employment provides for this. If not, searching without an employee's consent is assault.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• What types of policies should I set up?
• Working time policies
• Patents and copyright
• Health and safety policies
• Disciplinary and conduct policies - harassment, bullying and disputes
• Company policies and facilities
• Training and performance management
• Pay, rewards and benefits
• Writing staff policies

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