What is the difference between policy vs. procedure?

The primary purpose of an organization's policies is to communicate its methods, values, culture, and overall philosophy. Here are some examples of policies:

• What an organization offers its employees in terms of things like employee benefits, vacation policy, etc.

• What an organization expects of its employees in terms of things like a code of conduct, confidentiality agreements, etc.

• What the customers and public can expect from a company, like customer service policies.

Procedures at a company explain the "how" of a specific action. They often provide step-by-step instructions related to certain tasks. Procedures help employees to understand the process and sequence of specific actions.

Procedures help keep companies organized, and operating at optimal levels of efficiency and effectiveness. Procedures might include technical information and vary, depending on the industry and company. However, here is some universal information most procedures have:

• What employee is responsible for each task

• What are the steps the employee or team must take to complete a task

• Who does the employee, team, or manager report to