Company Policies
****************

The Company Policies chapter defines the formal rules, expectations, and standards that govern how
Maryland Productions (MP) and Event Revolution (RV) operate as organizations. These policies apply
across all departments and roles and are intended to protect employees, freelancers, clients,
assets, and the companies themselves.

Unlike SOPs, which describe *how* tasks are performed, company policies define *what is required*,
*what is permitted*, and *what is prohibited*.


Purpose
=======

- Establish clear expectations for conduct, safety, and professionalism.
- Ensure legal, ethical, and operational compliance.
- Provide consistency in decision-making across departments.
- Protect company assets, data, and reputation.
- Serve as a reference for resolving disputes or uncertainties.


Who This Section Is For
=======================

- Employees  
- Freelancers and contractors  
- Managers and supervisors  
- Project Managers and Crew Leads  
- Warehouse and technical staff  
- Administrative and sales staff  

All personnel working under MP or RV are expected to understand and comply with these policies.


Policy Scope
============

Company policies apply to:

- Warehouse operations
- On-site event work
- Office and remote work
- Client interactions
- Use of company equipment and systems
- Internal communication
- Health, safety, and conduct

Policies apply regardless of job title or employment classification unless explicitly stated
otherwise.


Relationship to SOPs
====================

- **Policies** define rules, obligations, and boundaries.
- **SOPs** define procedures and workflows.

If a conflict exists:
- Company policies take precedence over SOPs.
- Safety policies override all other considerations.


Core Policy Categories
======================

The policies in this chapter are grouped by topic for clarity and ease of reference.


Employment & Conduct
--------------------

- Code of Conduct
- Professional Behavior
- Anti-Harassment & Discrimination
- Equal Opportunity
- Substance Use & Impairment
- Attendance & Punctuality
- Dress Code & Appearance


Health & Safety
---------------

- Workplace Safety
- On-Site Event Safety
- PPE Requirements
- Incident Reporting
- Emergency Procedures
- Drug & Alcohol Policy
- Fatigue Management


Equipment & Assets
------------------

- Equipment Care & Responsibility
- Loss, Damage, and Negligence
- Unauthorized Use of Equipment
- Vehicle & Truck Use
- Tool and Asset Check-Out
- Personal Equipment Use on Jobs


IT, Data & Security
-------------------

- Acceptable Use of IT Systems
- Password & Credential Management
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Device Security
- Email & Communication Standards
- Access Control & Termination Procedures


Operations & Client Relations
-----------------------------

- Client Communication Standards
- Confidentiality & NDAs
- Intellectual Property
- Social Media & Public Representation
- Conflict of Interest
- Gifts & Gratuities


Administrative & Financial
--------------------------

- Expense Reporting
- Purchasing Authority
- Timekeeping & Payroll
- Invoicing & Payments
- Reimbursement Policies
- Record Retention


Enforcement & Accountability
=============================

- Policy violations may result in:
  - Verbal warnings  
  - Written warnings  
  - Removal from jobs  
  - Termination of engagement  

Severity of enforcement depends on:
- Nature of the violation
- Safety implications
- Repetition or history
- Impact on clients, crew, or company assets

Managers and PMs are responsible for enforcing policies consistently.


Acknowledgement & Updates
=========================

- Personnel may be required to acknowledge policies in writing.
- Policies are reviewed and updated as needed.
- Updated policies supersede previous versions.
- Changes will be communicated to affected personnel.

Failure to stay informed does not exempt individuals from compliance.


Linked Company Policies
=======================

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1

   code_of_conduct
   safety_policy
   equipment_responsibility
   substance_use
   harassment_discrimination
   attendance_punctuality
   it_acceptable_use
   data_security
   vehicle_truck_policy
   client_confidentiality
   purchasing_authority
   expense_reimbursement
   conflict_of_interest
   social_media_policy
   record_retention


Related Chapters
================

- :doc:`/safety/index` — Operational and on-site safety procedures  
- :doc:`/equipment_sops/index` — Equipment handling SOPs  
- :doc:`/it_systems/index` — Systems usage and access  
- :doc:`/administrative/index` — Administrative procedures