Most big businesses with large offices have well-defined and strict office procedures that are implemented and maintained firmly. However, in the case of small businesses where the office is small and there are few employees, the office procedures are more often than not flouted.
The result of such behavior is that people working in the office overstep their limits, forget what they have to do and generally take advantage of their boss. The work environment gets unprofessional and negative clashes take place between the employees leading to delay in the completion of work and consequent loss of business. It is, therefore, important to have the following well-defined set of standard office procedures, even if there are only a couple of employees.
1.Clear-cut workflow charts and lists should be worked out after discussions with the employees regarding the work they are doing. These charts should be a part of the office procedures which should also include procedures in cases of emergency such as fire or robbery. This will enable the employees to be aware of what each one is expected to do during an emergency so that there is no panic.
2.The office procedures should include the rights and duties of each employee and each one should know what his responsibilities are and what is expected out of him or her every day. There should be a clear line of reporting so that each one knows whom he or she has to report to. They should also know as to what they should do if any problem arises.
3.The practice of blame game and of passing the buck should be strongly discouraged and each one should know that he or she will be held responsible if duties are not discharged properly.
4.In case of conflict, there should be set procedures that would define how conflicts have to be resolved. Each employee should know what he should do and with whom he should talk if there is a problem.
5.Perhaps the most important office procedure that every business should emphasize on is punctuality and discipline. If the employees are given a free hand regarding attendance in office and if acts of indiscipline are not strictly dealt with, the atmosphere of the office will get vitiated leading to gradual decline in the work output and consequent business losses.