How to Write an Employee Referrals Policy

Allow existing employees to apply for open positions within your company by writing an employee referrals policy. You can also open the door for employees to assist in the hiring process by telling them they can recommend qualified individuals to fill job vacancies. Employee referrals work best when you write a policy that clearly explains its purpose and exact procedures. Follow these guidelines to write an effective employee referrals policy.

Instructions

1. Title a new document, "Employee Referrals Policy." Identify its date of creation and its author.

2. State that the policy's purpose is provide employees with the opportunity to advance within the organization based upon their proven abilities. Further explain that employees can encourage non-employees to apply for positions the company does not make known.

3. Caution that just because an employee applies for an open position or recommends someone for it does not guarantee success in getting the job. State that the company reserves the right to recruit others and to make the final hiring decision.

4. Explain the hiring process. Describe how the company posts job openings. Tell how employees should apply. Tell them how to inform non-employees about the opening.

5. Require employees seeking job openings to submit a current resume for the human resources department. Decide whether to require that employees complete a certain amount of time in their current position before applying for another.

6. Specify that employees referring outside candidates for a job must not divulge proprietary information about the company. Employees must also caution outside candidates that only senior management or appropriate human resources personnel remain authorized to make employment offers.

7. Decide whether to award a finder's fee to employees who assist in filling job vacancies at the company. Specify the amount of the fee and the conditions under which the company provides it.