Clear Writing

What we can learn from traffic rules

Policy non-compliance is often a symptom of unclear rules, not unwilling people. Policy makers want to influence specific behaviours, but...
Clear Writing / Policy Enforcement

Why Isn’t Policy Drafting a Professional Competency?

When it comes to the skill of policy drafting, we have a serious training gap. We can contrast our situation...
Clear Writing / Concise Writing / Respectful Writing

No Need to Word Your Corporate Policies More Harshly than the Penal Code

I often come across policies that read something like this: "Employees must answer every question before submitting request forms. Incomplete...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “Should”

This is the final article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “May”

This is the third article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “Must”

This is the second article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: “Must,” “May,” and “Should”

This is the first article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Good Policy Statements Don’t Micro-manage

Instructions in a policy statement that amount to micro-management confuse rather than clarify the requirements. I’m sure you’ve seen them...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

DON’T Define Sexual Harassment

The #MeToo movement has precipitated a lot of interest in protecting people from sexual harassment in the workplace. Corporations, universities,...
Clear Writing / Policy Enforcement

GDPR: I Consent to “Terms” not to a “Policy”

You don't give all your children the same name. If they're all named "Dave," then they'd all come running at...
Clear Writing

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