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New Financial Year Policy Review- 01/03/2010
With the start of a New Financial Year looming, it is a good time to review your employment documents and check you have at least some of the basics in place. Not all employers need or want to have handbooks and endless policies but there are some basic key documents all employees should consider using as follows:-
1. Recruitment/Interview Procedures
When recruiting a new employee are you asking the right qustions? Are those questions discriminatory? Do you need to ask the potential new employee to complete a medical questionnaire?
2. Offer Letter
This should set out the documents you need from the employee to show the employee has the right to work in the UK. This should apply to all employees you seek to employ. Is the employee free to take up the position or are they subject to restrictions from their existing employer? Put a time limit for the offer to be accepted.
3. Contract of Employment
By Law all employees including part-time employees must receive a Statement of Employment Particulars within 8 weeks of commencement of their employment. Failure to do so can give rise to a claim in the Employment Tribunal for 2 – 4 weeks pay. For your protection it is important to clearly set out notice entitlement, sick pay, holiday entitlement, pay etc.
4. Disciplinary & Grievance
This should be provided to all employees as part of their Statement of Employment Particulars. Make sure it is a non-contractual document. Have your procedures been updated following a change in the rules in April 2009?
5. Policy On Use of Computers & Email
With more and more employees using computers at work and the explosion of social network sites it is important to set out clearly how they can be used, the Employer has the right to monitor computer use and sanctions for misuse.
6. Protection of Confidential Information
Prevent unlawful use before and after employment.