We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Learn Human Resources Policies?

By Carol Francois
Updated: Feb 07, 2024
Views: 8,989
Share

Human resources policies are a fundamental part of every business. These policies are designed to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, reduce the risk of lawsuits, and create a productive work environment. Human resources is a term used to describe a range of services standard across every business. These functions typically include recruitment, payroll, benefits management, staff orientation, training, and development programs.

The easiest way to learn about the human resources policies of your current employer is to request a copy. Large firms typically provide a copy of their policies together with the letter of offer, benefits enrollment form, and request for banking information. Smaller companies may not be as organized, but usually provide the policy booklet within the first three to six weeks of employment.

The standard information included in a human resources policies booklet are usually organized around the organizational structure, payroll information, employee benefits, and code of conduct. The organizational structure section provides a graphical image of the company's hierarchy or list of company executives and managers. Payroll and benefits includes the hours of work, payroll schedule, official holidays, health care plans, and overtime and holiday payroll policies. The code of conduct is often copied verbatim from the Fair Labor Standards Act and includes wording surrounding workplace harassment, bullying, and other unacceptable behavior. The consequences are usually listed to provide a deterrent.

People who work in human resources often find that they are required to write or edit the existing human resources policies as part of their job. This may be necessary to incorporate new legal requirements or to reflect the changing work environment. A daunting task at the best of times, some firms use this process as an opportunity to learn more about industry standards and what other companies have in their human resource policies.

To access the policies of other businesses or organizations in your industry, contact your counterpart in the human resources department of a comparable firm. Most human resources professionals are happy to share this information, after removing anything that is specific to their organization. For example, any bonus or merit-based payment programs may be removed, but the general policies surrounding acceptable behavior and hours of work are not considered confidential.

Courses in human resources compensation and documentation often have a section dedicated to the creation of human resources policies. The wording and phrasing is very important in this type of document, as it is often used to defend business practices in cases where an employee has filed a lawsuit against the company. Take the time to have the policies reviewed by a human resources lawyer to ensure there are no glaring issues.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/how-do-i-learn-human-resources-policies.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.