50+ Policy Samples, Format & Examples 2023
Policies are not just chunks of text posted on bulletin boards or reiterated during company orientations. They serve a purpose. They are governing laws that help organizations navigate complicated situations. Rules and policies are needed to maintain order and stability, regardless of company size. These policies can cover a range of subjects from dress codes to waste management. The policy templates listed below will provide plenty of ideas for you to craft your own code.
To create a policy of your own, follow the following steps:
- Browse through dozens of ideas and examples.
- Customize it online, download, then print it in your preferred file format.
Create and customize your own policy with the helpful format guide at the end of the article. Still unsure of where to begin? Browse the 50 plus templates below and choose one that tailor fits your needs!
1. Attendance Policy Sample
Taking attendance is basic protocol. Whether in an academic or professional environment, an attendance policy is one of the most fundamental rules included in any organization structure.
Use This Attendance Policy Sample
2. Business Policy Sample
Office environments often discourage any personal business in the workplace. This business policy example below outlines the strict dos and don’ts of the use of computers while in the office.
Use This Business Policy Sample
3. Company Policy Sample
Company policies may vary across the board. To maintain order, it is important for any organization to lay down fundamental rules that their employees can follow.
Use This Company Policy Sample
4. Corporate Policy Sample
It’s important to recognize not just hard work, but good work too. This corporate policy below outlines the purpose and criteria of appointing an employee of the month.
Use This Employee of the Month Policy Sample
5. Employee Policy Sample
A lot of companies give end-of-year bonuses to deserving and top-performing employees. The sample employee policy below outlines the mechanics regarding employee bonuses.
Use This Employee Policy Sample
6. Expense Policy Sample
Business travel often demand allowances for the traveling employee. Many expense policies, like the one below, follow a per diem basis.
Use This Travel Expense Policy Sample
7. Freelancer Policy Sample
Because they are not considered regular employees, it is imperative for any freelancer to create ground rules for their output or labor. Use this freelancer policy as a practical guide.
Use This Freelancer Policy Sample
8. HR Policy Sample
Human Resources can cover a range of functions from compensation to training to recruitment. Use the sample HR policy below to craft your own guidelines on inter-job posting.
9. Leave Policy Sample
Taking a leave of absence is common for expectant mothers. But it should be noted that fathers should also be awarded paternity leaves to allow them time to care for a newborn baby. The leave policy below outlines the basic rules on taking a paternity leave.
Use This Paternity Leave Policy Sample
10. Overtime Policy Sample
Employees who extend their regular workhours are typically entitled to overtime pay. The overtime policy below specifies the terms and conditions regarding overtime hours and pay.
Use This Overtime Policy Sample
11. Privacy Policy Sample
Respect of privacy is valued by many individuals and companies. Privacy polices are often broad, so it is best to make provisions targeted and comprehensive.
Use This Privacy Policy Sample
12. School Policy Sample
Schools are academic institutions with often stringent rules to follow. The sample school policy below breaks down the proper decorum to be observed in an academic library.
Use This School Library Policy Sample
13. Teaching Policy Sample
Teaching at a university can be a demanding job, but it can also be a fulfilling one. This simple policy below outlines the compensation rules and regulations that professors are subject to.
Use This University Policy Sample
14. Return Policy Sample
People are often told while they’re young to always return whatever is borrowed. Even in the professional world, returning what is not yours should still be upheld. Let the comprehensive sample policy below serve as a guide.
15. Food Safety Policy Example
Food safety standards are paramount for anyone in food manufacturing and the restaurant industry. Health and hygiene cannot be stressed enough for those people handling the preparation and distribution of food.
16. Hotel Policy Example
The hospitality industry is no stranger to strict and time-honored protocol. A hotel policy is commonplace and is required in all establishments.
17. Waste Management Policy Example
Proper waste segregation and management is crucial for maintaining the overall health of a city or urban area. A clear and comprehensive waste policy is a basic requirement in any area, especially highly dense areas.
18. Kitchen Policy Example
The culinary and hospitality world know how basic and important kitchen policies are. Similar to food safety rules, kitchen policies are intolerant of petty mistakes and careless errors.
19. Tourism Policy Example
The tourism sector brings in billions of dollars annually and are the driving economic force for many countries. Tourism policies are needed to establish a sense of structure and order for it to be sustainable enough for tourism-dependent communities.
20. University Policy Sample
Universities have their own set of rules and regulations that the whole academic community is expected to follow. The general university policy below is a prime example.
Use This University Policy Sample
21. Website Policy Sample
Creating and running a website is hard work. There can be a host of issues that a web developer regularly faces. One of these issues is privacy. So it’s always important to have a reliable website policy on privacy.
Use This Website Policy Sample
22. Workplace Policy Sample
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible work arrangements have boomed. But in order to establish clear rules and provisions regarding any new arrangement, a suitable workplace policy must first be in place.
Use This Flexible Workplace Policy Sample
23. Restaurant Policy Sample
All food establishments should uphold a standard restaurant policy in order to maintain order, predictability, and continuity.
Use This Restaurant Management Policy Sample
24. Safety Policy Sample
Whether you are a construction company or a warehouse factory, safety laws should always be put in place. Use the general safety policy sample below as a comprehensive guide.
25. Security Policy Sample
Safety and security are basic needs for individuals and organizations alike. An airtight data security policy is needed to protect the wellbeing of everyone- whether that’s a small startup business or an established global conglomerate.
Use This Data Security Policy Sample
26. Travel Policy Sample
Traveling in a post-pandemic society may prove to be an adjustment for many; which is why a clear overseas travel policy should be a priority for all governments and countries.
Use This Overseas Travel Policy Sample
27. Advertising Agency Policy Sample
Advertising agencies are proliferating everywhere in today’s media-dependent society. For marketing practitioners, there ought to be a standard with regard to industry conduct and ethics. Use the advertising agency policy below as an example.
Use This Advertising Agency Policy Sample
28. Small Business Policy Sample
No matter how small your company size is, a decent code of conduct is required. This small business policy example below outlines the guidelines on the company’s customer service.
Use This Customer Service Policy Sample
29. IT & Software Policy Sample
The IT and computer software industry is only to get bigger and more sophisticated with time. So it is paramount that a company’s IT policies are regularly reviewed to optimize user satisfaction and protection.
30. Work from Home Policy Sample
The pandemic has given way to the work from home option. Millions of office workers continue to be subjected to this new change in work environment in order to safeguard public health. The one-page work from home policy below is brief and straight to the point.
Use This Work from Home Policy Sample
31. Compressed Work Week Policy Sample
Some organizations have adopted the compressed work, long before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, however, more and more companies see it as a viable option. Use the sample below and conveniently download it in Google Docs format.
Use This Compressed Work Week Policy Sample
32. Training and Development Policy Sample
Training and development is important for a company’s workforce to remain competitive and relevant. The sample policy below is available for download in PDF format.
Use This Training and Development Policy Sample
33. Gift Giving Policy Sample
Many NGOs and government agencies implement strict rules regarding the receiving of tokens and gifts. The culture of patronage is typically looked down upon and discouraged. The gift giving policy below is available for download in both Google Docs and MS Word formats.
Use This Gift Giving Policy Sample
34. Sabbatical Leave Policy Sample
A sabbatical leave is quite common in academic institutions. It refers to an extended leave of absence that may range from several months to even a couple of years. Download the sample policy below in Word format or in Apple Pages.
Use This Sabbatical Policy Sample
35. Preschool Policy Example
Preschool is a memorable milestone for parents of young children. But to optimize the child’s formation and development, policies should be put in place for all stakeholders to follow- including parents.
36. Middle School Policy Example
All school levels adhere to some form of code. Without a proper code of conduct, it will be difficult to navigate the challenges and problems of middle school education.
37. Environmental Sustainability Policy Example
Environmental degradation has only gotten worse and it’s high time nations everywhere take the problem seriously. An environmental sustainability policy ought to be required in all countries; and all it takes is the will power of leaders and decision-makers.
38. Harassment Policy Example
Sexual harassment is a serious issue in the workplace. The safety and dignity of all workers should be top priority for any company; which is why a sound harassment policy should always be part of a company’s code of conduct.
39. Gym Policy Example
Gyms usually have dozens of rules and reminders for clients to ensure their safety while working out. Some common rules include policies regarding lost belongings, safety reminders for gym equipment, personal trainer guidelines, etc.
40. Policy Memo Sample
A standard policy memorandum needs a title, the complete date, and details of both the sender and recipient. You may also include a subject line, as seen in the sample template below.
41. Social Media Policy Sample
Social media can be a tricky realm to navigate. That’s why it is imperative for all companies to set clear boundaries by using social media policies and guidelines within their respective organizations.
Use This Social Media Policy Sample
42. Succession Planning Policy Sample
A true leader is not obsessed with maintaining control and knows when to let go of responsibilities. The succession planning template below outlines the transitional details of an outgoing leader and a new, incoming one.
Use This Succession Planning Policy Sample
43. COVID-19 Policy Sample
The global pandemic has ushered in new and stringent rules that nobody expected: regular lockdowns, more frequent disinfection, physical distancing and mandatory masks. The COVID-19 template below is a sample policy you can use in crafting your own pandemic rules.
Use This Coronavirus Policy Sample
44. Career Planning Policy Sample
Having a career plan is a strategy that many people, unfortunately, don’t make the time for. If companies want to take the professional growth of their employees seriously, they should consider implementing a career planning policy.
Use This Career Planning Policy Sample
45. Restaurant Marketing Policy Sample
Operating a restaurant is not easy. It pertains to more than just food and dining. Restaurant marketing is an essential aspect as well; because how can a food business flourish without enough customers?
Use This Restaurant Marketing Policy Sample
46. Holiday Policy Sample
A holiday or vacation is not an excuse for you to totally let your guard down. The holiday template below is an outline of vacation policies and procedures to maximize convenience and safety.
Use This Holiday Policy Sample
47. Media Relations Policy Sample
The media has always been a powerful tool in information dissemination. Having a solid PR plan is an important aspect in media relations. The example below exemplifies this in a policy document.
Use This Media Relations Policy Sample
48. Email Policy Sample
Email etiquette is vital, yet many people take it for granted. The sample email template below outlines a thorough discussion on acceptable email procedures.
Use This Employee Email Policy Sample
49. Confidentiality Policy Sample
A non-disclosure or confidentiality statement can normally be found in contracts and policy procedures. The example below pertains to a third-party confidential information policy.
Use This Confidential Information Policy Sample
50. Catering Policy Sample
A catering policy can help ensure utmost quality is given to customers- both quality food and quality service. The catering template below contains an outline describing various policies and procedures.
Use This Restaurant Catering Policy Sample
POLICY FORMAT
There are several elements common to most policies. To create your own policy, follow the simple step-by-step guide below:
1. Title
An appropriate heading should serve as your policy’s title. Make sure its size and font are bold or big enough to read.
2. Terms and Conditions
The main part of a policy is the definition and enumeration of terms and/or provisions. These are the rules that will eventually be carried out and enforced.
3. Approval and Authority
There needs to be an indication of authority or approval in your policies. This can add credibility or help certify the rules.
4. Spacing and Numbering
To make it more organized, it is best to divide your policies into different sections. Make sure they are spaced out evenly and contain the appropriate subheadings to differentiate each section from the other.
FAQs
What is the best definition of policy?
Policy is basically a set of rules and procedures that an individual or organization looks to for guidance or instruction.
What does policy mean in simple terms?
Policy is simply a set of laws or rules that people are expected to follow.
What is policy used for?
Policy is used in all aspects of life- in the workplace, in religious institutions, in government offices, and in civil society. In a broader sense, many policies shape the way we live and act.
Is a policy a rule?
A policy is essentially a rule meant to be followed. Policies are created by individuals and organizations for themselves and other people to uphold.
What are policy examples?
Some common policies are no-smoking rules, dress codes, and overtime guidelines. In our current context, mandatory mask-wearing and work-from-home arrangements are widespread policies.
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