Why are policies and procedures important in 2024?
In this post, we’ll look at why policies and procedures are important for businesses and organisations in 2024. If you don’t want to end up at 2+2=5 then you definitely need your own policies!
Policies and procedures are our business at the Policy Place. We develop them and through our online system, keep them reviewed and updated for agencies. Like it or nor, policies and procedures are essential for any organisation that doesn’t want to end up at 2+2=5 and here’s why.
Policies and procedures are important for compliance
Policies and procedures are important because they are required by various laws, regulations, and sector/industry standards.
The truth of this will depend on the nature and functions of your organisation. Some, but not all, of the following compliance regimes may apply to your agency:
- the Children’s Act 2014 requires child safety checks for government-funded children’s services
- both the Social Sector Accreditation Standards and Health and Disability Standards require policies and procedures to meet certain standards
- the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 202
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Employment Relations Act 2000
- Public and Community Housing Management (Community Housing Provider) Regulations 2014
Policies and procedures to build a culture
In Aotearoa/NZ, we’ve seen how important human rights standards can be subject to populist and political whim. This can occur in organisations too if you don’t have policies and procedures to support your organisation’s kaupapa, values, and mission.
Policies and procedures help make the values of your organisation and business real. They can help you build an organisation that is confident about its mission and place in the community and marketplace.
Policies and procedures for hard decisions
In one of our previous posts – Good Decisions need good policies – we looked at how policies and procedures are especially important for staff when it comes to having to make decisions about competing interests eg an individual’s right to personal privacy versus the right to life and staff responsibilities. Without policies and procedures, staff can feel alone and unsupported in their work; they may avoid or put off making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision; or they may make a decision contrary to the organisation’s kaupapa and interests.
Policies and procedures should afford staff enough scope to use their professional skills and respond to diverse situations.
But, policies and procedures are essential if staff are to be empowered to make tough decisions.
Making things simple
We’re subject to a lot of laws and regulation. In the social sector, agencies are also subject to the Social Sector Accreditation Standards. In the health area, Nga Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard applies. Equivalent standards and criteria apply in community housing, education, and training.
It can be hard to figure out what applies and there are risks that you can miss something important or get something wrong.
We deal with these challenges all the time at the Policy Policy when drafting policies. Be assured that with the right policies, complex obligations will be simplified so that it is easier to action them.
Achieving consistency
While we want staff to feel empowered to exercise judgement and make decisions, consistency of decisions across our organisation or business is important if we are to provide quality services and products and to maintain a positive reputation. Policies and procedures are crucial in this respect. They establish guidelines for staff to follow and reinforce expected standards of conduct and service.
Efficiency gains
Last, but by no means least – policies and procedures can vastly improve efficiency. Good policies and procedures can be used to help with the onboarding of new staff to the workplace. As long as they are accessible to staff and up-to-date, policies also save time for managers and senior staff who can otherwise spend a lot of time answering questions and providing guidance to staff.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of policies and procedures to organisations and businesses cannot be overstated. They are pivotal to thriving and resilient organisations in 2024. If you want help with updating your policies or are starting from scratch, get in touch.
