Running an efficient training organisation means providing quality training and assessment as well as handling employee issues when they surface. And when we look at it, managing employees can be one of the most difficult aspects of running your RTO. During the many years of managing both national and small state based RTOs I have found that one of the weaknesses for an RTO is staff not adhering to the policies and procedures. Yes we are all human, and try to take short cuts. And don’t get me wrong, in my past, I have tried every shortcut possible. Until one day I woke up. I started to review the Standard operating procedures or the procedures as something that I needed to do, rather than pass them off as being paper work not worth reading.

There are many reason why employees don’t do what they are supposed to do.  Often is it simply they don’t know why they should do it the way it is stated. When trying to get your employees to adhere to policies and procedures, you can try to  intimidate employees into compliance.  You issue warnings, reprimand them, and offer greater (or fewer) tangible rewards.  Or you could use the art of influence.  Here are seven ways to do that.

Establishing policies and procedures with your staff may ease the burden. Get their buy-in from the start, so they have ownership.

1. Clearly communicate the systems and standards at the beginning of their employment and in regular meetings.  This may also help to reduce employee complaints, absenteeism, and staff turnover.
2. Explain the rationale behind the procedures, it could be for safety, compliance, best practice or any other reason.
3. Check that you have explained it clearly, they know what to do, and verify your team knows what is expected to do.
4. Communication – revisit the procedure once it is place and make sure it is working. If not, undertake continuous improvement. Remember Continuous improvement is important in RTOs.
5. Make sure you do as the procedure says – always walk the talk yourself. That means you must also follow the correct procedure.
6. Repeat the communication, and check that it is as important for your employees as for you.
7. Reward for compliance, and make sure there are consequences for noncompliance.