Workplace Rules & Policies

Workplace rules and policies help define what employers expect from employees and how workplaces operate. These policies can cover everything from attendance and workplace behavior to technology use, company procedures, and employee responsibilities.

Understanding your employer’s rules can help you know what is expected of you, avoid potential workplace issues, and recognize when a policy may affect your rights as an employee.

Employers generally have the ability to create workplace policies, but those policies must still follow employment laws and cannot take away protections employees are entitled to under federal, state, or local laws.Workplace Rules & Policies Articles

Employee Handbooks & Company Policies

  • What Is an Employee Handbook? What Employees Need to Know
  • Can an Employer Change Its Policies Without Notice?
  • Can Your Employer Change Your Job Duties Without Your Consent?
  • Are Employee Handbooks Legally Binding?
  • Can an Employer Ignore Its Own Workplace Policies?
  • What Happens If You Violate a Company Policy?
  • Can You Be Fired for Violating a Workplace Policy?
  • Can Your Employer Add New Rules After You Are Hired?

Workplace Conduct & Expectations

  • What Are Workplace Rules Employers Can Legally Require?
  • Can Your Employer Force You to Follow a Workplace Policy?
  • Can You Be Fired for Not Following Company Rules?
  • Can Your Employer Discipline You for Off-Duty Conduct?
  • Can Your Employer Require Professional Behavior Outside of Work?
  • Can Your Employer Control What You Do Outside of Work?

Attendance & Scheduling Policies

  • Can You Be Fired for Being Late to Work?
  • Can Your Employer Require You to Find Someone to Cover Your Shift?
  • Can Your Employer Change Your Schedule Without Notice?
  • Can Your Employer Make You Work on Your Day Off?
  • Can You Be Fired for Calling Out Sick?
  • Can Your Employer Require a Doctor’s Note?

Dress Codes & Appearance Policies

  • Can Your Employer Require a Dress Code?
  • Can Your Employer Make You Wear a Uniform?
  • Can Your Employer Ban Tattoos, Piercings, or Certain Hairstyles?
  • Can Workplace Dress Codes Be Discriminatory?

Technology, Devices & Workplace Privacy

  • Can Your Employer Monitor Your Work Computer?
  • Can Your Employer Monitor Your Computer at Home?
  • Can Your Employer Read Your Work Emails?
  • Can Your Employer Track Your Location Through a Work Device?
  • Can Your Employer Monitor Workplace Chat Messages?
  • Can Your Employer Require You to Use Personal Devices for Work?

Remote Work Policies

Social Media & Personal Expression

  • Can Your Employer Discipline You for Social Media Posts?
  • Can Your Employer Require Access to Your Social Media Accounts?
  • Can You Be Fired for Posting About Your Workplace Online?

Workplace Investigations & Discipline

  • What Happens During a Workplace Investigation?
  • Can Your Employer Investigate You Without Telling You?
  • Can Your Employer Search Your Desk or Workspace?
  • What Are the Different Types of Workplace Discipline?
  • Can Your Employer Put You on a Performance Improvement Plan?
  • Can You Be Fired Without a Written Warning?

Privacy, Confidentiality & Company Information

  • Can Your Employer Require a Confidentiality Agreement?
  • Can Your Employer Stop You From Discussing Your Pay?
  • Can Your Employer Restrict What You Say About Work?
  • Can Your Employer Require You to Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
  • Can Your Employer Use Your Work After You Leave?
  • Does My Employer Own My Work?

Workplace Rules & Employee Rights

  • Can Your Employer Make Rules That Violate Your Rights?
  • What Workplace Rules Are Illegal?
  • Can Your Employer Create Different Rules for Different Employees?
  • Can Your Employer Enforce a Policy Unevenly?
  • What Should You Do If You Disagree With a Workplace Policy?

Related Topics

Explore more workplace information:

  • Employee Rights
  • Workplace Issues
  • Pay & Benefits
  • Hiring & Careers
  • Leaving a Job