Page 11 - KZN Business Sense - Vol.6 No.1

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Nikita Pillay, Head: HR organisations are efficient, What are Procedures? unacceptable behaviour person comes forward with an
& Compliance, DRG professional and stable. This The ultimate goal of every ■ Set out consequences of not allegation against your company,
Outsourcing can lead to stronger business ‘Procedure’ is to provide the complying with the policy having formal policies and
relationships and a better public organisation and employees ■ Provide a date when the policy procedures in place strengthens
R What are Policies? and with a clear and easily was developed or updated As organisations grow
your case.
reputation.
understood plan of action
Policies and procedures should
required to carry out or
egardless A ‘Policy’ is a predetermined implement a policy. not be written once and left it is important to put
things in writing that the
alone for decades. Reviewing
of your course of action, which is A well-written procedure these documents regularly and organisation values and deems
organisation’s established to provide a guide will also help eliminate updating them when necessary is important. Doing so in a
size, toward accepted business common misunderstandings by key to their success. detailed policy and procedure
developing strategies and objectives. In identifying job responsibilities manual, that is shared with
formal other words, it is a direct link and establishing boundaries for In addition to an annual review, employees, can help to ensure
policies and between an organisation’s employees. consider updating your policies that products and services
procedures can make it run much ‘vision’ and their day-to-day and procedures when you: maintain the high quality that
more smoothly and efficiently. operations. Policies identify Good procedures allow ■ Adopt new equipment, customers expect.
They communicate the values the key activities and provide managers to control events software, etc.
and vision of the organisation, a general strategy to decision- in advance and prevent the ■ See an increase in accidents or Important to Note
ensuring employees understand makers on how to handle issues organisation (and employees) failures on-site Policies and procedures need to
exactly what is expected of them as they arise. from making costly mistakes. ■ Experience increased customer be reviewed and updated at least
in certain situations. A procedure can be defined annually to make improvements
Well-written policies and as a road map where the trip complaints
Policies and procedures save procedures allow employees to details are highlighted in ■ Have a feeling of general and keep them current.
time and stress when handling clearly understand their roles order to prevent a person from confusion or increased staff Policies and procedures should
HR issues. and responsibilities within getting lost or ‘wandering’ off an questions regarding day-to-day be consistently reviewed for its
predefined limits. Basically, operations effectiveness and to ensure that
The absence of written policies policies and procedures allow acceptable path identified by the ■ See inconsistency in employee what is being done in practice is
results in unnecessary time and management to guide operations company’s management team. job performance adding value.
effort spent trying to agree on without constant management When procedures are followed, ■ Feel increased stress levels
a course of action. With strict intervention. there is consistency in practice across the office Each policy must be tailored
guidelines already in place, for work processes. This helps to ■ Embark on significant change to the organisation and their
employees simply have to follow This is accomplished by ensure that things are done the to the organisational structure specific industry. 
the procedures and managers providing the organisation and same way, every time and that all
have to enforce the policies. employees with limits and a steps are followed. Enforcement of the policies
choice of alternatives that can guarantees your organisation’s Nikita Pillay
Implementing these documents be used to ‘guide’ their decision- To create an acceptable policy, operational procedures and Nikita@drg.co.za
T: +27 (0)31 767 0625
also improves the way an making process as they attempt the following must be very decision-making processes are W: www.drg.co.za
organisation looks from the to overcome problems. carefully noted. The policy must: uniform and consistent across
outside. cases.
As employees are hired, it is ■ Set out the aim of the Policy
Policies and procedures help to important that they understand ■ Explain why the Policy was When you don’t enforce
ensure your company complies the correct work process to developed your procedures, you put
with relevant regulations. ensure that the service or ■ List who the policy applies to your organisation at risk.
They also demonstrate that product maintains high quality. ■ Set out what is acceptable or If an employee or external

ABSA ENGAGES IN DISCUSSION ON EWC WITH IRR

he Institute of Race and further engagement with rights framework in South Africa Pretorius said: “I urge all the mistakes of the past. Don’t
Relations (IRR) recently ABSA.” can truly protect South Africans South African corporations be appeasers or sell-outs. The
Tmet ABSA officials for an who deserve the right to be secure with a stake in the property South African people will not
in-depth discussion on the matter In light of ABSA’s failure to in their ownership of the property rights framework of this forgive you if you let them
of expropriation of property reply to the open letter sent on 23 they have earned through hard country to become a friend down now.” 
without compensation (EWC) January, the IRR gave the bank and honest work. of South Africans fighting
and its consequences for South the fail grade of “SELL-OUT” “Fudged, unclear, opportunistic against EWC and a government
Africans and South Africa’s on the IRR’s recently launched ideologically bent on repeating W: www.irr.org.za
financial system. #EWCScorecard. The criteria of positioning by corporate
the #EWCScorecard is simple: South Africa will just not be
The meeting followed the IRR’s good enough,” said Pretorius.
handing to the bank a hard copy 1. Does the corporate entity “Corporations constantly tell
of an open letter sent to ABSA on oppose EWC? South Africans that they should
23 January – relating to the bank’s 2. Does the corporate entity be trusted with our money, our
position on EWC – to which the support anti-EWC lobbies? savings, our pensions, our hopes
IRR received no reply. The letter 3. Has the corporate entity in of financial stability. The least
asked ABSA to clarify whether it question submitted a written these corporate entities can now
would expect clients to pay off a submission to Parliament do is to stand up for our rights
bond on a property expropriated opposing EWC? and interests, putting our money
without compensation. where their mouths are.”
4. Is the corporate entity
Following the meeting, IRR currently in discussion with He added: “We are grateful to
Campaigns Manager Hermann the IRR about the crucial ABSA for meeting with us and
Pretorius said: “ABSA’s issue of EWC? discussing this matter in depth.
willingness to engage with the Other corporate entities in South Through honest engagement,
IRR on this issue should be Africa are currently being assessed organisations like the IRR can
the standard others adhere to. by the IRR on these criteria. Only work with the banking sector
We look forward to receiving a clear and unambiguous opposition to make sure property rights in
written reply to our enquiries, to the dismantling of the property South Africa are protected.”

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