When organizations update workplace policies, one critical step is often overlooked: ensuring alignment with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Here are five tips for updating your policies to avoid conflicting language with a CBA:
- Avoid conflicts: Policies that contradict a CBA can lead to confusion among employees, grievances, arbitration, and strained labor relations.
- Promote clarity: Internal alignment reduces confusion among managers and employees about which rules apply.
- Build trust: Demonstrating respect for negotiated agreements strengthens relationships with unionized employees.
- Review proposed updates: Always review proposed policy updates against the CBA before implementation. This proactive step helps safeguard compliance, reduce risk, and maintain a stable workplace environment.
- Statements in policy manuals: Be certain to include a disclaimer in your policies that states that, in the event of a conflict between the policy and the CBA, the CBA language prevails.