Policy writing instructions

When establishing a new policy or updating an existing one, you should adhere to the following writing tips:

• Keep things simple – Policies need to be expressed in straightforward terms, not legalese. The policy should be simple for all employees (from the CEO to the cleaning personnel) to comprehend.
• Keep it generic – Policies cannot foresee all conceivable circumstances. Policies should be drafted with enough specificity to be applicable in a variety of situations. Thorough assistance can be offered in the form of frequently asked questions or detailed process rules or standards.
• Make it relevant – The policy should explain to the audience why it exists, who it impacts, the most important rules and constraints in it, when and under what conditions it applies, and how it should be implemented. Terms of … should be explained explicitly for the reader under Definitions.
• Verify correctness and conformity –...