A code of conduct is an important business document that explains all values and rules that people working in the company need to follow. It also reflects the standards that the company is committed to upholding.
Since this document is an essential one for your workplace and your employees will have access to it, its guidelines need to be checked regularly. Having a well-written code of conduct can contribute to workplace satisfaction and ensure company operations remain legally sound.
Read the rest of this article to explore what’s involved in a code of conduct review and when you should hire a lawyer for help through the process.
What Should You Check for in a Code of Conduct?
When reviewing your code of conduct, you should check for some important elements. These include the following:
- Ethical guidelines. These are the values that govern the company. They can include employee rights, social responsibility, and commitment.
- Employee behavior and expectations. This includes practical information about how people should communicate, rules for social media usage at work, what discrimination policies are in place, and how violations are dealt with in the company.
- Internal rules. Daily operations need to be governed, so this section can include holiday leave policies, dress codes, job role duties, legal compliance, and training procedures.
- External guidelines. How do employees interact with people outside of the company, such as clients or customers? In this section of the code of conduct, you could include information about IP policies and confidentiality.
- Purpose and scope. You want to have a clear purpose and scope that focuses on the company’s main goal and vision. It should include why the code of conduct has been drafted and who it’s for.
What are Tips for Reviewing and Revising a Code of Conduct?
You want to avoid any red flags or errors in your code of conduct, which is why it’s advisable to review it annually. Here are some tips for reviewing and making positive changes to it.
Use Transparent Language
You want the code of conduct to be written in clear language that’s specific and easy to understand, even for people who don’t have a strong legal background.
Instead of stating, “Employees should behave appropriately,” replace it with, “Employees must treat all coworkers, clients, customers, and third parties with respect and not engage in discrimination or bullying.”
Include Your Company’s Values
You want your code of conduct to display your company’s most important values, such as integrity and respect, throughout all sections of the document. This will provide a comprehensive, professional document that ensures people know what’s expected of them.
When discussing how people should conduct themselves, you should avoid unrealistic expectations or standards that come across as being challenging for people to fulfil.
Make it actionable
A code of conduct varies from a code of ethics because it’s more specific and needs to be as actionable as possible. By providing practical tips, you’ll ensure that the code of conduct is easy for everyone to implement.
For example, provide clear, specific strategies for diffusing disputes and include the steps to follow when employees wish to report violations in the workplace. You can also include real-life examples to bring the information home.
Include Visuals
You can make the document more engaging and accessible by including charts and other visuals. This makes it easier for people to remember all its key aspects, especially if the document is lengthy.
Consider Recent Changes
You should think about any changes that have recently occurred in the company as these will help you to accurately revise the code of conduct. Examples include if there’ve been structural changes to the organization or its policies, or any changes to laws that could affect your document.
Hiring a lawyer can help you implement the above so that your code of conduct is updated and more accessible for all employees.
When Should You Hire a Lawyer for a Code of Conduct Review?
While you might not need a lawyer to help you with a code of conduct if you have a straightforward, small business, it’s important if you’re dealing with a complex workspace or you’re in an industry that is heavily regulated. Similarly, if the document is legally binding or you have concerns about what’s included in it, you’ll benefit from seeking legal guidance.
Here’s how a lawyer can help you with a code of conduct review:
- They’ll scrutinize your code of conduct so that it is legally enforceable.
- They’ll check the wording and tone used in the document to ensure they uphold your company’s standards while being professional.
- They’ll clear up any vague or ambiguous language that can cause misunderstandings or confusion.
- They’ll ensure legal compliance by aligning the code of conduct with other rules and regulations.
- They’ll minimize your liability risks, such as by checking the code of conduct for any obligations that shouldn’t be included or aren’t reasonable.
- They’ll check for any revisions to be made and implement the edits.
- They’ll cover everything essential for the company. A code of conduct is comprehensive, so they’ll ensure you don’t miss anything important.
How to Hire a Lawyer for a Code of Conduct Review
If you’re ready to hire a lawyer to help you with a code of conduct review, you’ll want to ensure you find someone who ticks all your boxes. On ContractsCounsel, an online legal network connecting clients with vetted lawyers, the process of finding a lawyer is easy. You’ll connect with a lawyer who’s in your location and has all the expertise to assist you.
For a document review, you can post your project for free on the ContractsCounsel marketplace. You’ll be asked some questions to include information about what you need, then wait for lawyers to get in touch. Lawyers will send you bids for the project and you’ll be able to choose one based on factors such as their expertise, years of experience, and previous contract review projects. This will give you the confidence of hiring a professional, respected lawyer.
