Human Resources Research Policy Paper: Code of Conduct

Human Resources Research Policy Paper
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Human Resources Research Policy Paper
Abstract
The paper examines the rationale for inclusion of the following policies in policy manual of an organization; code of conduct, dress code, harassment and healthcare benefits. It established that all these policies have a legal mandate upon which the organization is held liable for violation of the law in case it does not adhere to. Implementation of the policies is also vital for improving the reputation of the organization by protecting against complaints. Also established as the main rationale for inclusion of these policies in policy manual include guiding decision making, protecting the organization's reputation, encouraging unity, upholding professionalism and improving the productivity of the employees and retaining them for long term befit from their services.
Introduction
The human resource policy manual is a document that contains the human resource policies for governing employees in an organization. Human resource policies are the guidelines, rules, procedures or practices that are adopted by the human resource (HR) managers in managing the people. It guides various processes in an organization such as promotion, recruitment, and compensation among others. It also describes the expected code of conduct and the expected dress code in an organization. A good policy gives a generalized approach on various aspects about employment, outlining steps that should be taken while invoking various course of action. Policy manuals serve so many purposes in an organization. It promotes mutual understanding between the employees and their supervisors through the establishment of clear communication channels and protocols. Policy manual provides the basis from which a company culture is developed and nurtured. It develops a basis for equal treatment for the employees since every decision is informed by these policies.
Considering the importance of human resource policies to an organization, it is imperative to understand the rationale for inclusion of various elements into the policy manual that constitutes the guidelines. Since a policy manual is an exclusive guide for HRs, it, therefore, implies that it contains all policies that govern the entire operations in an organization. This paper seeks to examine four policies that govern code of conduct, dress code, harassment and healthcare benefits. It shall examine the rationale behind the inclusion of these policies in a policy manual, establish the principle or the laws that mandate a company to adhere to these guidelines and uncover some of the precedent cases in organizations that have formed the basis for a company to properly address these issues in their policy manual.
Code of Conduct
Code of conduct refers to a formal statement of the business practices and values of a corporate organization (Leipziger, 2016). It outlines the values, standards, principles and guidelines that direct decision making and establishes systems and procedures of a corporate institution for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the stakeholders and ensuring that the organization upholds respect for those affected by its operations. Many organizations have developed a code of conduct so as to implicitly or explicitly communicate its tolerable criteria for arriving at decisions, explain its values and outline its rules guiding expected behavior from the employees (Leipziger, 2016). Majority of the organizations presents these values and criteria for decision making in a published document and the main aim for investing in a clear and explicit code of conduct is to establish a value-driven organization that is committed to a given standards of conducting business, committed to its employees and commitment to building good relations with the third parties (Leipziger, 2016). Currently, more groups and individuals demand ethics and integrity from their business leaders more than transparency and profit maximization.
The code of conduct policy is added in a policy manual of an organization because of its importance. Code of conduct policy serves as a guide for all managerial decision making by providing a common framework for which decisions are instituted (Leipziger, 2016). A proper guideline on decision making helps in establishing a clear understanding of the confines within an organization and the relationship or interaction with external stakeholders. An explicit code of conduct protects and builds the reputation of an organization as well as providing a legal standing if an employee breaches the ethics (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). The company will carry out its disciplinary mandates against such employee in a manner that is outlined in the policy manual which was signed by the employee and thus legally binding (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). The organization will not be seen as having undermined the corporate governance which is expected to uphold in its all operations. The inclusion of a code of conduct in a policy manual is, therefore, very importance to an organization as it sets out clear outlines for decision making, establishing relationships with external stakeholders and protecting the reputation of the company (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014).
Organizations do not only include the code of conduct in their policy manuals because of its importance but also due to certain principles and laws. In some countries, there are laws that mandate the organizations to establish a code of conduct according to their profession on corporate responsibility and governance whereas in other countries it is impelled by market forces and mechanisms such as shifts in share prices. In other perspectives, organizations implement the code of conduct as a result of holding to the fact that it would enhance performance and control that leads to fewer irregularities that would, otherwise, amount to corporate scandals.
Establishment of the code of conduct by organizations has been prompted by precedent cases in other companies that have existed before (Locke, 2015). In as early as the 18th century, many companies have collapsed due to corporate scandals which were caused by unethical behaviors by the employees. Due to lack of a code of conduct, the companies engaged in activities that lead to bankruptcy and consequently collapsed. In 1826, South Sea Bubble Company collapsed after the managers engaged in bribing politicians to influence decisions concerning the company in parliament (Locke, 2015). In 2014, Banco De Portugal was shut down after it disobeyed the Bank of Portugal several times while engaging in malpractices termed as "painful acts of ruinous management." (Guenzi & Storbacka, 2015) These are some of the cases that have served as precedent cases which have informed other organizations of the importance of a code of conduct in operating their businesses to avoid corporate scandals that lead to insolvency or shut down.
Dress Code
A dress code is a policy that describes how the employees are expected to dress in an organization. Dress code policy is established from the fact that organizations acknowledge that appearance of their employees represents the company before the clients and other stakeholders (Locke, 2015). The appearance of the employees has the potential of creating a good or bad impression about the company. Employees may also be required by a company to wear uniforms for ease of identification by the customers (Locke, 2015). Dress code may also help the company to address safety issues, for instance, health workers are not allowed to wear jewelry for safety issues. In factories, workers may be asked to wear certain clothes such as protective coats for safety against chemical spills. Therefore, the dress code is a vital element in a company's policy manual.
Dress code policy is founded on certain principles. It emphasizes the importance of the organization and its mission. In a school setting, uniforms are derived from the principle of pride and professionalism (Locke, 2015). It brings about the importance of a school as an organization and enhances the achievement of its mission as a team. According to the York University, school of nursing, dress code upholds the principle of adherence to professional stan...