Farm Workplace Policies

Farm workplace policies set clear, documented expectations about behaviour, safety and how issues are managed on a dairy farm. They support a workplace where people feel safe, respected and supported, and they underpin standard operating procedures by explaining how people are expected to work. 

Good policies reduce safety and legal risks, improve behaviour and accountability, help prevent conflict and complaints, support retention, and protect the business. 

Why workplace policies matter 

Farms with clear, documented policies are more likely to: 

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

People leave farms when they do not feel safe or respected, and replacing people is expensive. Good policies support a farm to keep good people. 

How to set up workplace policies

A simple six-step approach works well:

1. Talk with the team

Involving employees draws on their knowledge of the job and builds ownership and compliance. 

2. Write clear policies
  • explain what is expected 
  • define acceptable and unacceptable behaviour 
  • apply to employees, contractors and visitors 
  • outline what happens if the policy is breached 
  • are written in plain English 
Make sure everyone knows them

Provide policies during induction and check that everyone understands them, including contractors. 

4. Explain and reinforce

Go through policies in team meetings and training, and lead by example. 

5. Apply them consistently

Deal with breaches promptly and fairly. 

6. Review regularly

Update policies when laws change, new equipment is introduced, or work practices change. 

Farm scenario

Ben and Laura run a dairy farm near Malanda in Queensland, with two full-time employees, two part-time employees and a casual milker. Committed to a workplace where everyone feels comfortable, they created a farm policy covering unlawful discrimination and harassment — including workplace bullying.

Their policy defines bullying as repeated unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to health and safety, gives clear examples, and sets the expectation that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. It encourages anyone who experiences bullying to report it, and commits to handling reports seriously, confidentially and impartially, with reporting, investigation and appeal procedures set out in the farm's policy and procedures manual.

Watch out

Work health and safety law requires workplaces to be — so far as is reasonably practicable — physically and mentally safe and healthy for everyone. This means taking steps so the working environment does not harm mental health or worsen an existing condition. Both employers and employees have rights and responsibilities under discrimination, privacy and WHS legislation.

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 

A farm may also choose policies for social media, children on farms, smoking, internet and phone use, and Q fever. 

Key policy areas 

Social media — supports protection of the business's 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, and mental health is part of workplace safety law. 

Drugs and alcohol — use creates serious safety risks; a clear policy protects everyone. 

Return to work — a farm has a legal obligation to support injured employees back to work safely. 

Q fever — a serious disease that can affect people working with livestock. A policy supports awareness and risk reduction. State WorkSafe and health bodies maintain current guidance:

Common questions

What are farm workplace policies?

Documented statements that set clear expectations about behaviour, safety and how issues are managed. Good policies apply to employees, contractors and visitors, and explain what happens if a policy is breached. 

Which policies should every dairy farm have?

At a minimum: emergencies, accidents and near misses; discrimination, harassment and bullying; drugs and alcohol; and return to work after injury. Farms may also choose policies for social media, children on farms, smoking, internet and phone use, and Q fever. 

How does a farm set up workplace policies?

A simple six-step approach: talk with the team, write clear policies, make sure everyone knows them, explain and reinforce them, apply them consistently, and review them regularly. 

Are mental health and wellbeing part of workplace safety?

Yes. Work health and safety law requires workplaces to be mentally as well as physically safe so far as reasonably practicable, so a mentally healthy workplace is part of meeting safety obligations. 

What is Q fever and why does it need a policy?

Q fever is a serious bacterial disease that can spread from livestock to people. A clear policy, awareness and vaccination guidance help reduce the risk; state WorkSafe and health bodies maintain current advice.