Daily Archives: January 23, 2008

Tribune Policy Manual

Via Ted Frank at Overlawyered we find the 13 page pdf of the new employee handbook at the Chicago Tribune (read Ted’s post regarding the controversy over its common sense simplicity).

Sample portions:

Part 1
POLICY MANUAL
Rule #1: Use your best judgment.
Rule #2: See Rule 1.
That’s it. That is the one hard and fast rule. Unless a serious mistake was made when you were hired, you have pretty good judgment.

You know what it takes to succeed.

You know that honesty, reliability, commitment, teamwork, and personal responsibility are essential to superior performance.

Nice, one main rule.

7.
DRUG POLICY
7.1.
If you use or abuse alcohol or drugs and fail to perform the duties required by your job acceptably, you are likely to be terminated. See Rule 1. Coming to work drunk is bad judgment.
7.2.
If you do not use or abuse alcohol or drugs and fail to perform the duties required by your job acceptably, you are likely to be terminated.
7.3.
If government rules and regulations say that drug testing is a condition of holding your job, Tribune is obliged to follow the law and your manager/supervisor will provide you with details.

I like 7.2 – even if you’re not abusing drugs or alcohol, you don’t do your job, you can be fired.

Part of the internet policy – works for just about any situation I’d say:

18.1.4.
It’s good judgment not to put in writing what you don’t want printed on the front page of a newspaper. Or posted on a web site. Or heard on the news.

The best one is the following – section 15.5 most especially

15.
MILITARY LEAVE
15.1.
Tribune recognizes and supports the right of any employee to serve in the US Armed Services, the organized reserve unit of any branch of the US Armed services, or the National Guard of any state, and complies with applicable federal or state laws.
15.2.
Please give as much notice to the company as possible if you are called to serve.
15.3.
Tribune will continue your current pay for 90 days. After that, if the military pay is less than your current Tribune paycheck, Tribune will pay the difference.
15.4.
When you come back from service, your employment will be restored in accordance with all state and federal laws.
15.5.
Please do everything you can to stay safe while you are away.

mm-5