288 - 5 Essentials for your Staff Manual in 2010: up-to-date?

Chances are it's been added to and edited over the years - does it reflect the real world of 2010? Handbooks set standards and expectations - they're designed to help staff and protect management.

Here are 5 areas where policy is often behind the times:

Anti-Discrimination: what's OK or NOT to say and do? Anti-discimination and affirmative-action laws now cover more and more situations. And staff have easy access to websites that explain their rights and the remedies available if they're unhappy. How do these look in your manual: modern and inclusive, or a reluctant bare minimum? Check government websites for your area - they usually have thorough guidance for employers.
Modern Safety Policies: it's more than just displaying the compulsory posters. Inspectors want to see a culture of care: not just safe equipment, but policies, training and qualifications for key staff. The 17-page Safety Rule Book and the Food & Works Safety Posters downloadable from this site are a great way to update Safety Policies and Procedures. Plus Company Vehicle Rules.
Social Media Policy: there's no avoiding Facebook, MySpace and online chat - most of your staff and managers use them. They need guidance on what's acceptable and not acceptable to say, especially as it relates to the business they work for. Use the Sample Guidelines for Staff on Use of Social Media to set ground rules and ensure everyone knows what's OK.
Family Leave & Carers Leave: rights to time off work are being extended, year by year. In Australia, it's outlined in the Fair Work Statement that must be given to every employee when they start.
Policies that Aren't Hypocritical: do the fine words and sentiments about teamwork and excellence fit with what staff see around them? Are you setting tough rules and demanding Job Descriptions, with no consequences when these standards are not met? Or rules for staff, and a free pass for the boss? Your people have a well-tuned BS meter; when they see the hard parts ignored (like training promises), why should they take notice of demands for attentive service and extra commitment?

Are you game to open up the contents for discussion and revision? Good staff like an organised, predictable workplace: they're unlikely to suggest ditching the rules. But they will find contradictions and out-of-date policy that needs replacing; and you're creating a document that has real 'ownership' rather than just being imposed.

Smart Staff Management with Profitable Hospitality Resources:

220+ Staff Management Forms & Documents - standard industry formats ready to use.
Staffing & Human Resources Dept is a goldmine of indepth information and advice.
Employment Law Changes in Australia: we've added new content to keep you informed on the latest changes.

1st Class Membership for 2010 - a Gift for 2010 with wide-ranging information and resources in every area, it's an investment with a fast return - Join Online Now or by Fax or Invoice.

2010 Training & Events Calendar

NEW: 25 Great Ways to Promote your Hospitality Business Online - Melbourne 15 March, Sydney 7 April, Brisbane 14 April - full day workshops.

NEW: 25 Great Ways to Promote your Club Online - Sydney: 17 February 2010 - full day workshop.

NEW: Food & Beverage Alive: Queensland 2010 23-24 March 2010 in Brisbane. Two intensive days for club professionals.

Starting a Cafe or Restaurant Workshop 27 February in Sydney; 13 March 2010 in Melbourne

DVD Set: Club Food & Beverage Management Summit - ORDER NOW: huge value in this 4-DVD set, with 13 presentations from the Oct 2009 event. Great for building staff and manager skills - check the preview video online.

With warm regards -

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