We’ve probably all worked at companies that have produced a handbook of policies and procedures: from what to wear, to how many days leave you get on the death of your grandmother’s cousin’s best friend’s dog, to why you’re not allowed to access Facebook, or Twitter, or YouTube.

Most of these policies are unnecessary most of the time; most employees will toe the line whether they’ve memorised the handbook or not (and they haven’t). Chances are you used common sense when employing the people who are now working for you, so why not assume they have the same facility? Unless you’re supremely dedicated to the cause, you’re unlikely to create a policy for every foreseeable situation, so why not make your life (and your employees’ lives) easier?

There are increasing calls for simplicity in HR policy – provide broad guidelines that assume your employees don’t need too much hand-holding: ‘be professional’, ‘be respectful, ‘don’t embarrass the company’. Possibly the most famous case of minimalist HR policy is US department store Nordstrom, which gave new employees a 5×8 card inscribed with the company’s one and only HR policy: Use good judgement in all situations.

While they’ve necessarily added more detail over the years (we live in a litigious age), the principle remains the same: treat employees like adults, capable of rational thought and possessed of common sense. Most of them probably are, and you’ll have more time to deal with the few who aren’t.