If you don’t already have a Respectful Workplace Policy … now is the time to implement one.
The world is changing. Showing respect, patience and understanding for others is more important now, than ever before. The pandemic has challenged us in ways many generations have never been challenged before.
For example, we have all seen what happens in a community when a citizen is diagnosed with COVID-19. It is unfortunate, but the reality is that gossip and rumour mongering do exist; as employers we must prevent this sort of unacceptable behaviour before it begins.
Why a Respectful Workplace Policy?
As employers, it is important to determine how we want employees to be treated in the workplace.
- Do we want to be a workplace that tolerates gossip, profanity or other rude behaviour?
- Or do we want to be a workplace that fosters mutual respect and understanding of each other’s differences?
Having a Respectful Workplace policy is a pro-active measure that prevents rude and disrespectful behaviour before it starts. It also allows employers to enforce expected behaviour in the workplace, and to discipline any behaviour that is not acceptable in the workplace.
A Respectful Workplace policy sets the framework for how employees interact and engage with others. Other benefits include:
- Improved workplace culture
- Reduced turnover
- Reduced costs due to unproductivity
- Reduced employer liability
Develop a Respectful Workplace Policy. Implement it, train your employees and supervisors on it, and enforce it.
It is just one more reminder to be a good person.
Let Kn/a HR help you with your Respectful Workplace Policy. Please visit us here to learn more.
For more information, please visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety on Civility and Respect