| Introduction
and Purpose of Manual
The
Human Resources Policy Manual is simply the University's
Human Resources policies written into a usable guidebook
for its managerial and supervisory staff, and all employees.
This manual not only outlines the University policy
toward the various phases of the employer-employee relationship,
but it also indicates how policy is to be administered.
Consequently, each manager and supervisor should be
able to use this manual as a guidebook when he or she
needs to apply University policy in a given situation.
Every employee should feel free to consult this manual
to assist in the interpretation of The University of
Alabama Human Resources policy.
Research
and experience has shown that written policies promote
consistency, continuity, and understanding within an
organization. When policies are put into writing in
the form of a manual, they add a visual effect to their
overall purpose. Moreover, written policies help management
by eliminating the need for time-consuming and expensive
memos, bulletins, and announcements. Written policies
also aid supervisors and managers in consistently achieving
fair and equitable interpretations of policy that require
action on a regular, recurring basis. Moreover, fellow
employees feel a deeper understanding of their role
in the organization when they realize that policies
are written and thereby uniformly administered.
Primarily,
the Policy Manual is an important tool for supervision.
It is the philosophy of the University's Department
of Human Resources that supervisors and managers work
better when they know what is expected of them. They
feel more secure, confident, and more "at one"
with the University when policies are made clear for
them. Policies promote a movement toward responsibility
rather than away from responsibility. Furthermore, the
ever-present tendency to pass-the-buck is reduced to
a great extent. Specifically speaking, this Policy Manual
is designed to provide management with the following
advantages.
Understanding
-- Written policy is one of the best antidotes in
the Human Resources medicine chest for the troubles
an organizational grapevine can cause. Even though everything
is subject to interpretation, the odds overwhelmingly
favor the written word compared with the oral.
Line of
Authority -- Top management cannot make all the
decisions that need to be made within the University
community. Often times they feel the need to because
they are afraid to release that authority to subordinates.
Naturally, it follows that if top management felt that
subordinates could make decisions like top management
would, the reluctance would be relieved. The Policy
Manual achieves this desired relationship. It thus results
in a solid delineation of authority.
Consistency
-- Consistent application of University policies
is constructive because it means employees will be treated
equally. It prevents, to a great extent, the seepage
of prejudice and bias in the decisions of supervision.
The achievement of this one virtue takes a colossal
step toward the maintenance of satisfactory employer-employee
harmony. The need for a Policy Manual is essential.
In short, no organization is invulnerable to the fallacies
of human nature. These written policies should increase
understanding of University-wide policy.
AUTHORITY
& DISTRIBUTION:
Every employee
of The University of Alabama has access to this Policy
Manual via the Human Resources web pages on The University
of Alabama website. This Policy Manual is up-to-date
and contains the complete and accurate policies of our
University as of the published date.
SUPPLEMENTS TO THE POLICY MANUAL:
The policies,
practices and guidelines in this Policy Manual will
remain in effect until changes are considered necessary
as a result of internal growth, competitive forces,
or as a result of general economic conditions pertaining
to higher education communities. However, any such change
to be made on any Human Resources policy or practice
will be made only after consideration is given to the
mutual advantages, benefits, and responsibilities of
such changes on supervisors or managers and on other
employees of the University. Any new supplements will
update and/or revise present policy and practices. Should
such changes be warranted and approved, timely notification
will follow. Changes will be published to the Human
Resources website. This system is for your convenience
and quick reference.
Should any
employee have any questions concerning the intent or
procedures to follow in the supplements to this Policy
Manual, they should see his or her immediate supervisor.
It is most important that all employees continue to
have full and complete understanding of all University
policies and practices.
MANAGEMENT'S RIGHTS:
This manual
describes general Human Resources policies and procedures
for The University of Alabama. This manual should not
be construed as, and does not constitute an offer of
employment for any specific duration, nor is it intended
to state any terms of employment. The University reserves
the right to change, modify, suspend, interpret or cancel
its policies and practices at its sole discretion and
without advance notice. This right extends to both published
and unpublished policies.
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