Workplace Conduct Policy

Employers can and should provide employees with properly-written rules and standards of conduct. These include prohibited conduct, such as:

• Falsifying employment applications or other company records;
• Violating safety rules;
• Faulty or otherwise inadequate job performance;
• Dishonesty;
• Violating harassment policies;
• Failing to observe work schedules, including rest and meal breaks;
• Sleeping on the job;
• Workplace threats and acts of violence; and
• Unsatisfactory performance.

Policy Drafting Tips:

• Eliminate descriptive adjectives, e.g., “excessive” tardiness, “extreme” insubordination, to deter subjective debates over violations;
• Clearly state the listed offenses are examples, not exhaustive of all prohibited conduct; and
• Confirm that specifying violations does not in any way limit or contradict at-will employment status.

Take-Aways:

Implement, regularly review and update as needed a comprehensive, clearly written handbook.

We trust this series will enlighten employers on the importance of having a well-written handbook to assist new hires, existing employees, and management alike. To purchase our template handbook and accompanying forms or for more information, please contact Office Manager Aimee Rosales at 626.583.6600 or email her at officemgr@tbowleslaw.com.

See also:

• Handbook Helper Episode 2 at the Starting Line – Clearly Stating New Hire “Probationary” Period (June 17, 2022)
• Handbook Helper Episode 1 Two- Way Street – At-Will Employment Provisions(June 10, 2022)
• Happier and Healthier – Workplace Policy Handbook & Forms for 2022 (April 29, 2022)
• If it Isn’t Written, Workplace Policy is Anyone’s Guess (November 1, 2018)

Cindy Bamforth
July 8, 2022