Why do policies matter?  

A workplace policy is a set of rules or guidelines for an organisation or business. They help make sure everyone is on the same page about expectations for the workplace and how issues are likely to be dealt with. 

Effective policies strengthen organisations. They: 

• support decision-making 
• set expectations about conduct 
• provide a foundation for efficient and effective governance. 

Policies can also help organisations meet their legal obligations to create a safe and respectful workplace.  
 

Who’s responsible for policies? 

Boards should be involved in developing and approving policies that guide the organisation. The board sets the policies in collaboration with management. 

Management develops procedures to guide the day-to-day implementation of policies.  

 
How to develop effective policies  

Policies are effective when they’re: 

• fit for purpose 
• accessible 
• easy to understand.   

Use these guidelines to help you develop effective policies. 

 
1. Align policies with your values and mission 

Ensure your policies align with your organisation’s values, mission and strategic goals. They should reflect the priorities and work you do. 

2. Be relevant to organisational needs 

Develop policies that are fit for purpose. They should be appropriate for your organisation’s size, complexity and operating environment. This helps ensure your policies are relevant to your organisation and suitable for your people.  

3. Involve key stakeholders 

Policy development is an opportunity to involve and collaborate with the people who will be impacted. This could be staff, volunteers, artists or relevant community members.  

Stakeholder input helps make policies more applicable, effective and appropriate. It can also help with implementation and compliance. You can involve stakeholders by asking for feedback on drafts and sharing the final versions for validation.  

4. Aim for clarity and simplicity 

Ensure your policies are easily understood. 

• Clearly define roles, responsibilities and reporting procedures. This ensures accountability and transparency of governance practices.  
• Use clear and concise language. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complexity.  
• Consider whether you need to convert the policy into other formats so stakeholders  understand itEasy Read, translation into key languages, audio versions, visuals. 

5. Review policies regularly 

Reviewing policies ensures they remain relevant, effective and up to date. It’s an opportunity to: 

• refine systems and practices 
• improve organisational governance and competency.  

How can boards support policy improvement? 

• Set aside time to review policies. For example, set up a board committee to do this work annually. 
• Establish a mechanism to monitor how well policies are being followed and potential breaches. Consider how to deal with any issues. 
• Emphasise the importance of compliance but balance this with a supportive approach. Encourage learning and improvement. 
• Consider where you can minimise administration. Balance governance requirements and the organisation’s capacity to comply.  

How can boards support policy implementation? 

Once a written workplace policy is prepared, it needs to be implemented. 

 
Depending on what each policy covers, they can apply to board members, employees, independent contractors, volunteers and other people in unpaid arrangements. The board has an important role in ensuring policies are effectively implemented and that appropriate controls are in place to support this.