5 Essential HR Policies for Practice Success

By Alexandra Lewis, Director of Business Operations
 ProspectHR Consulting

Human Resources (HR) policies can help create work environments that value consistency and fairness and foster employee growth and productivity. Knowing which ones will best enhance your employee experience and support organization success can be challenging, but regardless of the nature of your business, there are several basic HR policies every business must have in place.

These five essential policies will maintain your business’ legal compliance and inspire an engaged and well-informed workforce.

1. Workplace Belonging
   Strong statements prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment are the basis of workplace belonging policies. Federal, state and local legal requirements set the foundation, but the most effective policies go beyond these parameters to encourage inclusiveness and acceptance, foster a welcoming and productive work culture, prohibit bullying and enhance employee retention.
2. Compensation and Employee Classification
   How, when and how much a person is paid are top concerns for most employees. Clear guidelines and processes eliminate confusion, promote a culture rooted in fairness, and ensure adherence to payroll-related legal requirements. Compensation systems should also focus on accurate job descriptions and overtime eligibility classifications that satisfy federal and state wage and hour laws.
3. Attendance, Paid Time Off  and Leaves of Absence
   For an organization to run smoothly, employers must communicate their expectations around attendance and time off. Employees should be aware of the types of leave that are available (such as sick, vacation, personal, paternity), whether leaves will be paid and the process for requesting time off. Employers must also follow any legal requirements that mandate specific types of leave, for example, family and medical leave under the federal FMLA or state sick leave laws.
4. Code of Conduct
   A Code of Conduct establishes general rules to ensure an ethical and respect-driven workplace. It directs employees to engage in respectful interactions with each other as well as with external groups, such as patients, referring doctors and vendors. Codes of Conduct can also include guidelines on appropriate attire, technology and social media usage, protection of company property and more.
5. Performance Management
   Employees need insightful feedback to improve their performance and grow with an organization. Comprehensive performance management policies establish a process for outlining performance expectations, providing performance reviews at regular intervals, aligning individual and organizational goals for mutual success, and addressing employee improvement as needed.

Implementing these five policies will not only provide compliance with regulatory requirements, but, perhaps more importantly, they create a harmonious and productive work environment. For small businesses, such as dental offices, that’s not just good HR, it’s good business.

Alexandra Lewis is Director of Business Operations at ProspectHR Consulting, New York, New York.