Work Policies

Employers need to ensure that they have a suite of key policies and procedures tailored to their workplace, compliance with which is a condition of their employees employment contract.

Key workplace policies and procedures include

• Code of conduct
• Grievance handling policy
• Discipline and termination policy
• Occupational health and safety policy
• Anti-discrimination and harassment policy
• Drug and alcohol policy
• Internet and email policy
• Media and social media policy

Employees need to receive training in workplace policies and procedures, and need to be aware of the consequences of breaching those policies.

A substantial and wilful breach of a policy will generally constitute a valid reason for dismissal. Also, multiple minor breaches of a policy, even if each individual breach may not be capable of being regarded as serious, can also constitute a valid reason for dismissal where the breaches are considered together.