Company Policy

Work with a group or a partner and fill in the column "I think this means… ". Compare your answers with others in the class. Then choose one area and write a policy you would like to see in the Handbook of the company you will work in. Present your idea to the rest of the class and explain how and why you made your selection.

Promotion from within

Many companies have a policy of promoting from within. This means that they will post a job first internally. Employees have the first opportunity to apply. The hiring is based on job-related qualifications, attendance, skill and ability, employment record and sometimes seniority. If you see that this is a company policy, does this suggest something to you? You may see a job that you would really like to do.

• Find out the qualifications needed and identify the paths to the position
• Learn what skills are valued in that position and practise them
• Watch the posting board and apply

Open Door Policy

This is a tricky one. While the policy may say this, the personalities and management styles of supervisors and managers may not allow employees to feel free to discuss any concern or issue openly. An open door policy suggests that every employee should feel free to discuss any matter of concern with management. As a new employee it would probably be a good idea to observe how others act and ask co-workers how things really work.

Employment Records

Every Human Resource or Personnel Department is responsible for keeping accurate records. As an employee you need to tell them when there are changes in your life:

• name
• address
• phone number
• marital status
• number of dependants
• next of kin
• courses that you have taken (that are work related)
• change in beneficiary (if you have company insurance)