LAW REPORT
Growing your business
Part 2 .
Ingrid Pagura | BA , LLB
In the last issue of the Law Report I looked at expanding or changing your business following our time in COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions . This is a perfect time to take a closer look at what you ’ ve been doing and if it is making you happy .
In the last issue I looked at reassessing your business structure and reviewing your business plan , including carrying out market research to know about your products , customers , and competitors . In this issue I will look at some other things you should be doing before preparing to grow or change your business .
Reviewing and improving your business processes
Though this sounds like a very tedious task , it is a necessary one . We often started doing something a particular way when we began our business and perhaps are still doing the same thing years later . Now , it may or may not be the most efficient way to do things .
Every business , no matter how large or small , needs clear guidelines as to chain of authority and who can make what decisions . Everyone should know what decisions they can and can ’ t make and what is expected of them . One good example is finances . Do you have a clear idea of who can authorise payments and for up to how much ? Who can place orders and for how much ?
The best way to do this is to create Policies and Procedures . These documents should guide staff though agreed processes , and this helps ensure good decisions are made and risk is avoided as you grow and change . There are also some policies you should have in place in relation to your clients .
So , let ’ s look at a few ‘ must have ’ workplace policies .
1 . Work Health and Safety Policy Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , it is mandatory to have this policy in place . It must include the processes covering risk management , emergency situations such as evacuations and first aid , and consultation and training . This will need updating to reflect changes we have had to make because of COVID-19 .
All healthcare settings should also incorporate Infection Prevention and Control Policies either as part of Work Health and Safety , or as a separate policy entity . This must include information on minimising risk of infection in the workplace , including cleaning the practice , PPE , cleaning spills and disposing of waste . It should also cover washing and storing linen .
2 . Discrimination , Bullying and Harassment Policy These policies also come under the umbrella of Work Health and Safety but form part of employment policies too . Everyone must feel safe in their workplace and this policy should include responses to behaviours that are not acceptable in the workplace and the ways in which these will be handled , including the complaints process .
The Discrimination Policy should also reflect recruitment processes to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity for employment , promotion and pay .
3 . Code of Conduct A Code of Conduct should include both day-to-day and big picture behaviours . It can include dress codes , reporting procedures for suspected misconduct , child abuse / neglect and punctuality . It should also reflect ethical issues such as boundaries between therapist and client and false and misleading promises in relation to treatment results and advertising .
4 . Leave Policy This should include guidance on annual , personal , and long service leave , including how much leave can be taken and when medical certificates are needed for personal leave as some
96 | vol28 | no2 | JATMS