2014 Workplace Policies & HR Policy Practices

BLR Facebook Twitter Google Plus :: Pinterest :: 2014 HR Policy Practices Survey Nearly 90% of the 2,662 HR professionals that answered questions about employee workplace policies in our survey said their organization had formalized policies in place. How are policies distributed to employees? Do they include 'at will' disclaimers? Are employees required to confirm receipt? How effectively are policies enforced? How often are they updated? How has recent legislation impacted background check policies? Read on for these answers and more. How often are policies updated? 48.2% of survey respondents update policies as needed. Only 23.9% update policies annually. Avoiding implied employment Policy distribution: contracts Handbooks, employee acknowledgements. at will employment Distribute policies to employees 50% using employee handbooks ANUAL Utilize an internal website 30% (intranet) to deliver policies Holly K. Jones, J.D., is BLR's Employee Handbook expert 85% Require an employee's receipt of handbook acknowledgement "In order to avoid contractual commitments, all employee handbooks should include a disclaimer at the very beginning that states employment is at will and that nothing in the handbook is intended to or does create a contract with the employee. It is also a good idea to include a statement reserving the company's right to change, amend, or delete sections of the handbook at its discretion. These statements should also be included in an acknowledgment signed by the employee when he or she receíves the handbook. 21% have employee acknowledge that they received the handbook 64% have employees acknowledge that they BOTH received AND read the handbook At-will policies and contract disclaimers 78% of survey participants have at will employment policies CONT 32% have a “no contract" disclaimer Policy Enforcement What's the biggest problem with effective enforcement of your policies? Are your policies enforced effectively? Some management team members don't enforce any policies 52% Management team members enforce only some policies 32% Policies need to be updated 29% Somewhat effectively (52%) Very effectively (43%) INot effectively (5%) Progressive discipline is utilized for Policy Resources some violations of policy Article based on a BLR webinar provides do's and don'ts for documenting employee discipline 56% http:/low.ly/AZ3yc 37% for all policy violations Over 480 Sample Policies available on HR.BLR.com! http://ow.ly/Bhmhr A closer look at background check policies Positions for which background checks are most likely: Management (key holders) 74% of survey participants have background check policies Teachers & Care Givers Purchasing Accounting 79% use them for all newly hired employees HR 66.5% of criminal and/or credit background checks are conducted by an outside vendor 23.9% of criminal and/or credit background checks are conducted by HR staff Who is conducting your vs. employee background checks? Ban the Box Many states and cities have enacted laws in recent months that govern the use of background checks. To learn which states have 'ban the box' laws on the books-i.e., those that prohibit private and/or public employers from inquiring about criminal history on employment applications-see our map. Types of Employers Public For a list/map of counties and cities with "ban the box' laws visit: http:/low.ly/Bh30z Private & Public Social Media for Hiring Purposes Do you use social media to check out potential new hires? Always 15% Sometimes 20% Never 65% Social media sites that are most utilized: Linkedin 67% Facebook 61% Google 35% Source: BLR's HR Policies Survey Get the full results here: http://ow.ly/Bhi3H LBLR Copyright © 2014 BLRO-Business & Legal Resources. All rights reserved.