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.