What is an Employee Handbook?

*It is a living document that formalizes your company’s Employee-Employer relationship.  It is used to familiarize employees with important information about the Company, as well as provide a general outline of the Company’s expectations, policies, benefits, and employment procedures.

 

Why Have one?

*An Employee Handbook keeps all your policies in one place and in writing so they can be applied consistently to all employees. This helps minimize employees feeling like they have been treated unfairly.

*It includes clearly articulated Non-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Anti-Bullying, and Non-Violence, policies. The posting of such policies goes a long way in establishing “Due Diligence” in the event your handling of such matters is called into question.

*An Employee Handbook puts the employers expectations in writing for the employee. This makes it much easier to address infractions effectively. Employees will not be able to say they did not know such & such was against company policy.

 

What should a Handbook contain?

*An Employee Handbook is a great place to showcase and consolidate your company’s Mission Statement, Goals, and History. It shows your pride in the company and invites employees to be a part of the team and share in the pride.

*An Employee Handbook should include contact information for the Company, the Company’s Dress Code, the Professional Standards observed, and a listing of who in the company is the” go to” person for what functions.

*Notices with regard to Equal Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Violence in the Work Place, Drug & Alcohol Policy, as well as your policies on smoking, internet use, personal call, friends visiting and pets in the workplace are all good things to incorporate in an Employee Handbook.

*An Employee Handbook is also the place where information on available Employee Benefits, Vacation Policy, paid Holidays, Other paid time off, Medical Leave, Military Leave, Bereavement Leave,  Maternity leave, and pay while on Jury Duty is usually housed.

Your Employee Handbook, is also a great place to list the general duties and expectations for your employees; Confidentiality and Information Security expectations; Safety Guideline and Emergency procedures; your Disciplinary and Terminations Policies;  as well as  your Company Time Keeping, and Payroll Procedures.

Who Should Have an Employee Handbook?

*Any Company with three or more employees can benefit from an Employee Handbook. It is usable in all types of businesses be it an auto repair shop, boutique clothing vendor, financial services provider, or high-tech firm with off-site workers. If you have employees, an Employee Handbook is a mechanism that is essential to keep your company running smoothly and profitably.

 

When is a good time to introduce a new or updated Employee Handbook?

*The beginning of a calendar or fiscal year

*When there is a major change in Management or Organizational structure

*Before Open Enrollment for Benefits

*Moving operations to a new location

*Downsizing

*Acquiring a new company or division

*Whenever there is concern around the clarity of employment policies and procedures.