Sample rules of the organisation

Using the rules of the organisation

It is advisable that the main rules of the organisation are in a written form and made available to all employees. These should be stated clearly in order to avoid any misunderstanding and special care should be taken to ensure that all employees entering the working environment for the first time understand them.

Rules of the organisation

The organisation expects all employees to co-operate with management and to conform to the organisation's rules at all times. If these rules are disregarded or the employee behaves wrongly in some other way, the organisation may discipline employees.

Disciplinary action can consist of written warnings, dismissal, or in the case of gross misconduct, summary dismissal.

The following are examples of some common rules found in organisations. However, it is important that organisations tailor the rules to reflect their own circumstances.

Here are some of the rules that apply to employees:

Employees should comply with the terms of their employment
There should be proper and authorised use of organisation equipment, time and property
Employees should satisfactorily perform the instructions given for carrying out the function of their employment
Employees should satisfactorily perform any reasonable request relating to their function by an authorised manager
All absence from work, except for reasons of sickness, should be authorised
All safety rules should be adhered to at all times
Safety equipment should be used at all appropriate times
The drinking of alcohol without management permission or the taking of illegal drugs on the premises is not permitted
Threatening or violent behaviour or language towards another employee is not permitted
Behaviour or actions that would in any way jeopardise the safety or well-being of other employees is not permitted
Gambling on organisation premises is not permitted
Smoking in non-smoking areas is not permitted
Making of long or numerous private telephone calls (and emails) is not permitted
Employees must not use behaviour, language, or non-verbal language that is discriminatory
Full-time employees are not allowed to take other paid employment without the written permission of the director - this permission will not be unreasonably refused.
Unnecessary disclosure of confidential information concerning the work of the organisation or its employees is not permitted (this does not affect the employee's rights under the public interest disclosure act 1998)
Harassment of individuals, whether sexual or otherwise, is not permitted
Bullying of individuals, in any form, is not permitted
Removal of organisational property from the premises without permission is not permitted

Gross misconduct

The following are examples of the kind of behaviour which constitute gross misconduct and will lead to summary dismissal:

Physical violence towards another employee of the organisation
Behaviour that seriously jeopardises health or safety
Serious misuse of the trust that exists between employees and anyone for whom the organisation is responsible
Incapacity for work due to being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol
Behaviour which amounts to bullying or harassment against an employee or stakeholder
Gross insubordination
Deliberate damage to organisation property
Serious infringement of the rules of the organisation.
Action or a failure to act which brings or could bring the organisation into disrepute.