Rulebook vs. Playbook: Why You Need Both
A successful ministry is more than just a shared vision or a passion for your mission. To achieve your goals, clear and complete communication is key. Staff have to understand what they can expect from leadership and what leadership expects from them.
Clear communication and expectations are achieved through your organization's policies and procedures: namely your Staff Handbook and Operations Manual. The policies found in your Staff Handbook are the “what” of your organization. They both ensure compliance and create the backbone of your organizational culture. The “how” are the procedures contained in an Operations Manual infusing those compliant and cultural practices into day-to-day operations. Creating and utilizing both equips your staff for success and ensures your ministry runs smoothly with both compliance and a healthy culture.
What's the Difference?
A Staff Handbook covers all the policies that outline employer-employee expectations. It's like a rulebook that outlines the rules around things like pay, benefits, and conduct. On the other hand, an Operations Manual is a playbook, or a how-to manual, that explains the guidelines and processes for following those policies. It usually outlines the processes staff do most often, such as building usage, reimbursement, credit card usage, and safety procedures.
Why Do I Need Both?
Both an Operations Manual and a Staff Handbook are crucial training tools. A Staff Handbook is given to new employees and updated regularly when laws and regulations change. It must be acknowledged and signed. It is also often used to hold employers and employees accountable to each other. After employees are made aware of policies, the Operations Manual instructs on how to follow them effectively through detailed procedures. This two-pronged approach empowers employees to find information on their own and helps minimize miscommunication between staff and leadership, especially during onboarding.
How Does This Work, Practically?
But the benefits don’t stop after onboarding. Think about the application for the policies and procedures even seasoned employees don’t do regularly but need to know. Think about vacation requests: the Staff Handbook outlines eligibility requirements and how much time off is given or accrued. The Operations Manual explains the procedure for requesting time off, the steps involved, and who does what throughout the process. The Staff Handbook sets the rules, while the Operations Manual lays out the steps in a central and easy-to-access location.
In conclusion, implementing both a Staff Handbook and an Operations Manual are crucial to helping your ministry run smoothly. Clear and complete communication is key to the success of any organization, and these two tools ensure your team understands policies and procedures effectively. Remember, compliance and culture are two sides of the same coin. Therefore, strive to strike a balance between the two to create a healthy, compliant organizational culture.