What is an employee handbook and why is it so important?
An employee handbook, sometimes also known as an employee manual, staff handbook, or company policy manual, it’s a book given to employees by an employer. The employee handbook can be used to bring together employment and job-related information, which employees need to know.
An employee handbook is a great communication tool that can be use by businesses to convey important information such as organizational culture and value. It is important that an employee-handbook inspires the reader (employee) instead of being boring and bland. Your employee-handbook should consist of FAQs. It should answer questions such as; why you work here? Why you should continue to work here?
It is use to provide consistent set of policies and procedures. It communicates the codes of conduct for employees by setting guidelines around appropriate behaviour for the individual workplace. It also serves as a quick reference guide to a great deal of information that an employee needs at work.
It is also a legal document signed by the employee acknowledging that he/she understands and has received a copy of the handbook.
To make your employee-handbook fun and more than a signed document, you may consider the following:
JAZZ-IT-UP
You can decide to call it something else aside Employee-handbook. If your culture is all about dynamics, by all means look for a word that describe you and tag it that. If it is innovation or fun or modern or what have you, you can tag it whatever you want. This document should draw people in and not lock them out. Be playful with the name.
REVIEW! REVIEW!! REVIEW!!!
It is important that you keep your employee handbook fresh and engaging. Therefore, it is important that you review your employee handbook. You may have some outdated information you need to remove, or some new information or policies you need to add. You can choose to do so yearly or a couple of years, just make sure you review the document. Although, the employer reserves the right to change the policies and procedures in the employee handbook, and thus the contents of the handbook, at any time, with or without notice, employers will always give employees notice so as not to affect employee adversely.
COMPANY’S SPECIFIC
Remember, this document is all about your company – its values, mission, culture, policies and regulations, therefore it must be about your company. It must be written to describe the UNIQUE YOU. You may use a similar template from similar company but it has to have your signature on it. People reading must know that this is you.
REVIEW BY A LAWYER
When compiling your employee handbook here are some sections to consider putting into your document.
- Welcome Message to New Employees and Recognition of Current Employees.
- Company Mission Statement
- Equal Opportunity Statement
- Contractual Disclaimer and At-Will Statement
- Purpose of the Employee Handbook
- Background Information on the Company
- Orientation
- Policies and Procedures.
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Personal Safety
- Sexual Harassment
- Drug and Alcohol
- Violence and Weapons
- Attendance
- Hours of Work
- Meal and Rest Periods
- Overtime
- Timekeeping
- Personnel Records
- Paydays
- Payroll Deductions
- Garnishments
- Performance Reviews
- Promotions
- Transfers
- Termination: Reduction in Force, Layoff/Recall
- Bulletin Boards
- Telephone/E-mail/Internet Use
- Social Media
- Benefits.
- Holidays
- Vacation
- Sick Leave
- Disability Leave
- Personal Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Family and Medical Leave
- Jury Duty
- Military Leave
- Paid Time Off
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Retirement and Pension Plans
- Call-In/Report-In Pay
- Training
- Educational Assistance Program
- Service Awards
- Workers’ Compensation
- Unemployment Insurance
- Employee and Employer Responsibility for Safety.
- Commitment of the Company
- Emergency Procedures
- Medical Services
- Personal Protective Equipment
- OSHA Requirements: Safety Rules, Reporting Accidents
- Procedures.
- Standards of Conduct
- Progressive Discipline
- Exit Process
- Summary and Acknowledgment.
- The Importance of the Policies and Procedures
- Acknowledgment of Receipt.
Lastly, an additional disclaimer should be included stating that the employer has the right to change the rules without notice, the employment is at will and that the handbook does not create a contract.
AGNC 