Why is a Tailored Policy and Procedure Manual Necessary in Massachusetts?

Policy and Procedure manuals are a dime a dozen. You can download manual after manual, procedure after procedure for use in your Massachusetts business. Many of these policy manuals will be effective for your business, but the fact is that policy and procedure must be tailored to your business to provide maximum liability protection for your Massachusetts business. A strong policy manual will take into account the specific operations of your business, and that manual will then be tailored to account for existing regulation, law, and statutory authority.

Many times a corporation will be involved in a lawsuit where the defendant’s day-to-day operation of the business is in question. It is exactly at this point that you want your policy and procedure manual to accurately reflect both the real practice that is occurring in your business, and an understanding of the law and regulations that govern your business. While nothing is a foolproof shield against liability, the best hedge that a company has against paying out large damage awards to plaintiffs is an ounce of prevention. And prevention begins with solid policy and procedure that is built on the actual day-to-day operations of your business which demonstrably comply with Massachusetts rules, regulations, and laws affecting your business sector.

Some policies are not optional. Massachusetts requires employers with six or more employees to adopt a written sexual harassment policy and give it to every employee each year, and to give employees written notice of their pregnancy accommodation rights. A tailored manual makes sure these required policies are in place and reflect how your business actually operates. See also our article on sexual harassment in the Massachusetts workplace.

Choose Experience over Fluff

Again, it is easy to find online policy and procedure for just about any issue that your business requires. But, what is not easy, is developing the knowledge base necessary to assess the value of the policy and procedure that you might find on the internet. It is always recommended to utilize an experienced ally who is able to draft or, at a minimum, modify an existing policy and procedure to match current rules and regulations, and laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

About the Author

Richard Alan Gaudet, Esq. is a Massachusetts attorney at the Law Offices of Richard Alan Gaudet, LLC in Middleton, Massachusetts, who advises clients on employee handbooks, workplace policies and employment law. His practice focuses on professional license defense, business law and litigation, family law, and landlord representation, serving clients across Northern, Eastern, and Central Massachusetts. Reach him at 978-273-8337 or rgaudet@gaudetlawoffice.com. Office: 35 Village Rd., Ste 100, Middleton, MA 01949.

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

This article was prepared by a Massachusetts attorney and is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes directed to members of the general public. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The law applicable to any particular situation depends on the specific facts and circumstances of that matter. Readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a licensed Massachusetts attorney before taking any action.