Important policies we recommend for your practice

 
Workplace policies are an essential ingredient of any successful practice. Well drafted policies will establish a clear understanding of expectations and standards, while also protecting the rights of employers. We cannot recommend the implementation of policies enough to our members, so here is a list of policies essential for all private practices and clinics. 

1.    Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is important for setting the standards of the behaviour you expect form your employees. Common issues such as dress code, mobile phone use, punctuality and the use of company property should be included in a code of conduct. Outlining unacceptable behaviour and educating employees on practice values through a policy, will put you in a better position to manage unacceptable conduct in the workplace, if and when it arises.

2.    Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy
Workplace injuries can affect your practice in a number of ways including decreased productivity, sick pay obligation and the cost of finding a replacement. A WHS policy outlines safety procedures and the responsibilities of all employees to keep themselves and the workplace safe.  

3.    Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy
This policy communicates clearly to employees what constitutes bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination and any other form of inappropriate behaviour at work. Practice owners can be held legally responsible for acts of discrimination, bullying or harassment that occur in their business and in order to minimise risks, practices must show they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination or harassment occurring.  

4.    Leave Policy 
A leave policy can be used to set out times when the business might be shut down, and what happens if an employee doesn’t have enough leave to cover their time off work. 

5.    Confidentiality and Privacy Policy 
Employers have a responsibility to safeguard the personal information of employees and customers. Therefore, businesses must have a policy in place outlining how their private information is used and managed. The policy should make it clear what information is allowed to be made public and what is required to stay private within the walls of the practice. A Privacy Policy should include employee health records and personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and emails. 

6.    Grievance Policy 
Every practice will have to deal with a workplace dispute at some point. Having a grievance policy in place acts as an important tool for employees to understand what steps they should follow when making or handling a workplace issue or complaint. 

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