New to HR? How Do I Create a Policy from Scratch for My Company?

Hi, I am newly joined at a software company where they don't have any policy. They are planning to have work assigned to me. Can anyone tell me how to create one, or can I have a sample policy that can help me in formulating the organization's policy?

Dear Lipika,

Overall, human resources are the most important assets to be successful in any business or organization. HR policy is related to employee benefits, development, welfare, safety, motivation, working environment, and many others. So, you can focus on these areas.

1. RECRUITMENT/ SELECTION

- Recruitment: What and how will the recruitment be carried out?
- Selection: What is the selection approach and how will it be conducted?
- Induction/Orientation: What are the policy guidelines for this?

2. HUMAN RESOURCING

- Succession planning/Talent management: What is the policy on this?

3. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

- Performance appraisals: What is the policy on this?
- Organizational learning: What is the policy on this?
- Training: What training is/will be provided?
- Development: What development programs are made available?
- Career planning/development: Is there a planned program?

4. COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT

- Managing compensation process: What is the principle behind the system? What criteria are applied? What are the determinant factors? Is commission applicable for foreign exchange dealers?
- Administration of compensation: How will it be implemented?
- Benefits: What benefits apply for each position?

5. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

- Organizational communications: What systems exist?
- Staff amenities: What staff amenities are available?

Hope this will help you.

Basant

Hi, I found this somewhere once and am sharing it with you. Here is a complete guide on how to write an HR policy. I am sure it'll help.

HR policy is a pretty broad topic. Attached is a link to some basic examples, but keep in mind your own business needs and local labor laws. It seems to me most companies of that size have something in place as a framework; maybe start there.

[Sample Human Resources Policies, Checklists, Sample Forms, and Sample Procedures](http://humanresources.about.com/od/policysamples/a/policy_samples.htm)

While framing HR policy, the following must be kept in mind:

01. HR policy on a particular issue should be the one where there is a necessity to have one in place. The objective of the policy is the most important aspect because in the event of a difference in opinion in interpretation, a careful interpretation of the objective paves the way for an interpretation to be implemented. Remember, you cannot have a written statement for every aspect in a corporate structure.

02. A uniform guideline that is practicable to implement and free from ambiguity to interpret should be written.

03. The policy document should be as precise and straightforward as possible.

04. Certain things which have less financial bearing may be delegated for decision at a lower level.

05. The policy should be executable at the working level itself.

These are some of the tips to keep in mind while working on HR policies. You may log on to the website of Public Sector Enterprises and try to get hold of some of their basic policies (possibly in their Right to Information link). You may get some cues on how a policy is stated.