Fit Into the Organization 8: Understand the Written Rules

This continues our series on how fitting in helps you get the biggest raises and better jobs

Lauren worked hard for the company. She averaged 45-50 hours a week managing a storefront service that was open 9am-9pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and 8am-5pm Monday and Friday. She also worked at lest one Saturday and Sunday a month. The written policy gave permission for her to adjust her hours to cover the operation. The written policy changed to operational hours of 8-5 Monday through Friday. Lauren failed to change to abide by the new hours. She received a formal reprimand even though she was working longer hours than the policy. She was not working the hours outlined by the written rules.

Study the Written Rules

Corporations and businesses establish written rules to create dependable processes. Companies may call written rules policy, procedures, or operational guidelines. Written rules outline appropriate behavior in the corporation. Written rules define how employees should act with each other, with clients, and with vendors. Guidelines state the processes that lead to branded or expected results. 

You should study operations guidelines, policies, or procedures regularly. In the past, policies and procedures resided in notebooks, 3-ring binders, or printed booklets. In recent years, corporations digitized the written rules to save on paper costs. Digital versions also allow companies to update written rules quickly and with minimum fuss.

As a result of regular updates, you need to review them regularly. Failure to abide by written rules may lead to formal discipline or termination. Frequent changes in policy, procedures, or operational guidelines create confusion if not followed. Yet, companies continue to change them frequently.   

Seek Guidance from Others

Others may help you interpret and understand the written rules of the company. Your mentor and network of friends inside the company may offer differing viewpoints about the written rules. They may also help you prioritize which rules carry the most importance. They can help you avoid problems by abiding by the written rules and policies.

Friday we spotlight the need to understand and abide by the unwritten rules to fit in

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