Sample Work Rules

Explanation. An employer has the right to expect his or her employees to conform to a reasonable standard of conduct. Employees who act in an inappropriate or unreasonable manner can damage your business by creating unhappy coworkers or, even worse, unhappy customers or clients. While you might feel that it should be obvious what is appropriate and what is not, it is very risky to assume every employee will share your views. One of the best ways to make it clear what you expect is to have a set of general work rules.

Written work rules can go a long way in informing your employees what you expect of them and the consequences of not meeting expectations. A person who has been put on notice that some types of conduct are unacceptable cannot claim ignorance when he or she engages in the prohibited conduct. Also, written work rules serve to remind employees that you're serious about presenting the business to the public in the best possible light.

These general work rules address many of the concerns that you might have about employee conduct. While you may have need of more extensive work rules that relate specifically to the conduct of your business, these general rules will form a solid basis for creating your own set of work rules.

[Company name] wants to encourage a safe and pleasant work atmosphere. This can only happen when everyone cooperates and commits to appropriate standards of behavior.

The following is a list of behaviors that the company considers unacceptable. Any employee found engaging in these behaviors will be subject to disciplinary actions including reprimand, warning, layoff, or dismissal:

1. Failure to be at the work place, ready to work, at the regular starting time.
2. Willfully damaging, destroying, or stealing property belonging to fellow employees or the company.
3. Fighting or engaging in horseplay or disorderly conduct.
4. Refusing or failing to carry out any instructions of a supervisor.
5. Leaving your work station (except for reasonable personal needs) without permission from your supervisor.
6. Ignoring work duties or loafing during working hours.
7. Coming to work under the influence of alcohol or any drug, or bringing alcoholic beverages or drugs onto company property.
8. Intentionally giving any false or misleading information to obtain employment or a leave of absence.
9. Using threatening or abusive language toward a fellow employee.
10. Punching another employee's time card or falsifying any record.
11. Smoking contrary to established policy or violating any other fire protection regulation.
12. Willfully or habitually violating safety or health regulations.
13. Failing to wear clothing conforming to standards set by the company.
14. Being tardy or taking unexcused absences from work.
15. Not taking proper care of, neglecting, or abusing company equipment and tools.
16. Using company equipment in an unauthorized manner.
17. Possessing firearms or weapons of any kind on company property.
18. Using profanity or obscenity within the office.