Naperville Business Lawyer on Strategies for an Effective Employee Code of Conduct

If you are a small business owner, you probably already know that one of the most essential elements of a successful company is a capable team of employees who represent the business in a positive light. One way you can clarify the expectations you have for employees is through an employee code of conduct.

A code of conduct is different from a company code of ethics and deals more specifically with the behavior expected of staff, as well as behavior which is unacceptable. An employee code of conduct can be a highly beneficial disciplinary tool when employees do not meet your expectations. It can also be very valuable in certain legal situations. Keep the following strategies in mind when developing your employee code of conduct.

Make the Code of Conduct Clear and Concise

A small business cannot be successful without effective communication. In your employee code of conduct, make sure to use easily-understandable, concise language to describe the expectations you have of you employees. Include specific actions you want the employees to take at work as well as the behavior or actions which are disallowed. Include clear examples of these behaviors and avoid overly technical language or industry jargon. Many successful businesses find that including employees on the development and continued updating of a code of conduct encourages teamwork and empowers employees to do their very best.

Consider Discussing the Code of Conduct in an Interactive Way

We have all sat through meetings that were boring and unengaging. Employees are much more likely to remember the expectations and rules in your company’s code of conduct when they are presented in an interactive way. Some employers find that creating a quiz based on the code can ensure that employees have actually read and internalized the message. Others use role playing to act out different elements of the code of conduct.

Experts suggest that an open discussion of the employee code of conduct is often more engaging and leads to greater information retention than a traditional lecture-style presentation of the company’s expectations for employees. Make sure to give employees time to consider the information presented to them and to ask any questions they may have.

Contact a Naperville Business Law Attorney

the Gierach Law Firm has over 40 years of experience helping business owners with a wide array of business law concerns. We can help you with starting a business, buying or selling a business, due diligence review of business contracts, employment law disputes, breach of contract concerns, and more. Contact us to discuss your needs with an experienced DuPage Country business lawyer. Call 630-228-9413 to schedule a consultation with our team of professionals today.

Sources:

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