In certain instances, such as when a state or federal law requires it, you may have to have a rule or policy in your workplace. The law may require you to have a written policy, to post the policy, and to administer the policy in a certain way. Here are a few areas that may be regulated by federal or state laws:

• harassment (specifically sexual harassment)
• smoking in the workplace
• drugs and alcohol in the workplace
• family and medical leave

Go to the specific discussion of each of these issues to determine your liability and which requirements you must meet to comply. Once you have satisfied these requirements, you can then consider other rules or policies you might want to have for your workers that are optional, but which still may be a good idea to have.