Farm workplace policies

Farm workplace policies set clear expectations about behaviour, safety and how issues are managed on your farm. They help create a workplace where people feel safe, respected and supported.

Good policies:

• reduce safety and legal risks
• improve staff behaviour and accountability
• help prevent conflict and complaints
• support staff retention
• protect your business

They also support your Standard Operating Procedures by clearly explaining how people are expected to work on your farm.

 

Why workplace policies matter

Farms with clear, documented policies are more likely to:

• run a safer workplace
• comply with employment and safety laws
• manage staff issues quickly and fairly
• make consistent decisions
• protect the business if disputes arise

People leave farms when they don’t feel safe or respected. Replacing staff is expensive. Good policies help keep good people.

 

How to set up workplace policies on your farm

A simple six-step approach:

 

Case study: policies for a better workplace Ben and Laura run a dairy farm near Malanda in Queensland and have 2 full time employees, 2 part-time employees and a casual milker. They are committed to providing a workplace where everyone feels comfortable. As part of that commitment, they created a workplace policy for their farm covering all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. One of the issues they addressed in their farm policy was workplace bullying. This is what they wrote about bullying in their farm policy: Malanda Farm is committed to providing our employees with a healthy and safe work environment that is free from bullying. Bullying is repeated unreasonable behaviour directed toward an employee, or group of employees, that creates a risk to health and safety. Examples of bullying include verbal abuse and yelling; humiliating someone through sarcasm, criticism or insults; exclusion of a person from workplace activities; giving someone the majority of unpleasant tasks. Malanda Farm expects all employees to treat each other with dignity and respect when at work. We encourage all employees who experience bullying to report it. Any reports of bullying will be treated seriously and investigated promptly, confidentially and impartially. The reporting and investigation procedures for bullying are explained in the farm policy and procedures manual as are the disciplinary and appeals procedures. Managers and supervisors have responsibility to ensure employees are not bullied. The contact person on this farm is Laura Delany.

 

Types of workplace policies

At a minimum, dairy farms should have policies covering:

• emergencies, accidents and near misses
• discrimination, harassment and bullying
• drugs and alcohol
• return to work after injury

You may also choose policies for:

• social media
• children on farms
• smoking
• internet and phone use
• Q fever

Templates and fact sheets are available at the bottom of this page.

Key policy areas

Social media – A social media policy helps protect your business reputation and confidential information.

Discrimination, harassment and bullying – These behaviours are unlawful. Every farm should have a clear policy and reporting process.

Mentally healthy workplaces – Healthy workplaces attract and retain good people. Mental health is part of workplace safety law.

Drugs and alcohol – Drug and alcohol use creates serious safety risks. A clear policy protects everyone.

Return to work – You have a legal obligation to support injured employees back to work safely.

Q fever – Q fever is a serious disease that can affect people working with livestock. A policy helps reduce risk and improve awareness. Further guidance and Fact Sheets which you can annex to this Policy can be obtained from your relevant State-based WorkSafe organisations: