Read the notice, then check the policy record

A useful update notice identifies what changed, who the change applies to, when it takes effect, and where the current policy record lives. Check those details in the notice, then open the linked record for the current text.

An update alone does not establish that acknowledgment is required. A request for acknowledgment should explicitly say a response is required and state the applicable deadline and response instructions. If any of those details are missing, ask through the organization's approved policy-help route before assuming what to do.

Find published records in the Policy Library.

A sample update sequence

  1. Notice published

    A fictional notice summarizes a change, names the affected group, and points to the policy record.

  2. Policy record updated

    The published record shows the revised version and its effective date.

  3. Effective date arrives

    Employees use the current record to check the wording and scope that apply to them.

Update notice or acknowledgment request?

A notice does not, by itself, show that a response is required.

Details Informational update Acknowledgment request
Explains what changed
Identifies the affected audience Should identify the affected group Should identify the affected group
Explicitly says a response is required
States a response deadline and instructions Should be stated in the request

Compare the wording

Informational notice

“The Remote Work policy record has been revised. Review the linked current version before relying on a saved copy.” This sample communicates an update; it does not say that acknowledgment is required.

Explicit request

“Please review the revised policy and submit the requested acknowledgment by the deadline and using the instructions stated in this notice.” A real request needs to provide its applicable deadline and response instructions.

About these samples

These sample sentences are fictional, not a live Northstar Services notice.