what to include in an employee handbook

Here’s a look at the policies you’ll want to cover: Woohoo! You’ll want to include hot topics like: How does your team interact with each other? Creating an employee handbook, or employee manual, allows you to reinforce workplace policies and employee guidelines. Second, the handbook may define or summarize the legal relationship between the employer and the employee. Susan Heathfield is an HR and management consultant with an MS degree. But, many organizations have employee handbooks that don’t resonate with employees and fail to communicate the critical messages that influence employee behavior. This will include topics employees care about, such as: 1. Though 87% of small businesses sized 10-200 have employee handbooks, HR experts agree that it’s best practice to start a handbook as soon as you hire your first employee, as it defines expectations and can protect you legally. We will no longer accept a doctor’s statement (note) as proof of sickness. Bring new employees into the fold by sharing this history with them. What You Need to Know About Firing an Employee, Use a Receipt Acknowledgment When Employees Get a New Policy, Use These Samples to Write a Formal Employee Reprimand Letter, How to Reduce the Employer's Liability at Holiday Parties. Whatever the new policies may be, your employee handbook should be updated to clearly reflect them. Give every policy careful consideration and take time to make your employee handbook shine. The handbook lays out expectations about everything from the dress code to employee benefits to conduct policy. The employee handbook (and the newer, cooler “culture code”) is a great tool for employees, new and existing, to learn the company’s mission, values and norms. Review your employee handbook to make sure your policies are equitable. Gusto conducted a survey of more than 330 businesses to find out what they’ve prioritized in their employee handbooks. If only some employees are eligible for a certain type of leave, disclose that in the handbook. It should go deeper and explain why you have those policies and why they are important. 3. A good handbook will: 1. General details, such as directions to the office, team structure, and key contact info It includes the 50+ sections recommended here and sample text) Most states, Massachusetts included, have an at-will work policy, which means that companies and employees can separate from one another at any time. Don't subscribe Employees receive more than just a paycheck every month from your organization. While your employee handbook will be undoubtedly unique and particular to your culture and company values, we've created a sample employee handbook to help get you started. A critical component of your employee handbook is the general information about being employed with your company. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the most common employee policies businesses include in their handbooks. Resignation and termination procedures Keep in mind that some of this material, such as overtime pay r… until January 1st. Your code of conduct section should spell out the “10 Commandments” for life as a member of your team. This is a manual that details the company’s rules, policies, and what’s expected of the employee (and vice versa). Summarize rules and policies that affect your company culture 3. Hiring policies 2. Include in the handbook policies on all types of leave that are permissible, such as vacations, sick days, jury duty, maternity leave, etc. Formalize Polices, Even Temporary Ones. In any instance, there are a number of key elements to be included in an Employee Handbook. Make sure you talk about why your company matters, and why your new hire should be excited now that they are apart of it. Even if some of the new policies are temporary in nature, it's still a good idea to update your written employee guidelines in the short term so that employees are aware of their rights and expectations. This handbook is provided to the … Your employee handbook should be simple and straightforward about expectations and employee rules. Set out your expectations for channels like: Not to downplay other critical policies, but the next two sections are ones your employees will likely flip back to frequently. SICK DAYS. Specifically, those that define interactions between management, employees, and company. Your email address will not be published. One emerging best practice is creating an employee handbook addendum specifically built around modifications to work and workplace culture created by COVID-19. Your company has provided extra benefits for its employees to keep them coming back to work. Your employee handbook is a manual of information that your employees need to function within your organization. Equal opportunity statement and anti-harassment statement By jencarsen Jul 5, 2011 HR Management & Compliance. All How to Confirm a Person's Employment Status, Employee and Employer Confidentiality Agreement, Employment Relationship: At-Will Employment, Accommodation for People With Disabilities, Harassment and Discrimination Reporting Procedure, Accepting and Giving Entertainment or Gifts, Email, Computer, Voicemail, Internet, and Telephone Usage, Performance Development Planning and Feedback Process, Employee Signoff Signifying Receipt of the Handbook, the At-Will Statement, and, Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSAs). This clearly maps out who’s who, starting from the top to the very bottom. Describe your company’s history, from the day you were founded, by whom, and why. We decided the best companies to work for would be a good place to start. Provide an overview of your business and layout basic policies 6. It should lay out your legal obligations as an employer and your employees’ rights. The employee handbook should include policies that comply with these standards (and applicable state wage and hour standards), as well as provide information for employees based on classification as either exempt or non-exempt, pay frequency, performance reviews, salary increases, and bonuses (if offered). Here are the policies, procedures, benefits, expectations of the employment relationship, professional behavioral expectations, and more that are often found in an employee handbook. She has covered HR for The Balance Careers since 2000. The site is read by a world-wide audience and ​employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Provide a consistent message for your employees 4. After a welcome and introduction from your president or CEO, begin with general employment information. This article will help you fix that. This section may include your: 1. Since employment laws change over time and can vary by location and industry, consult a lawyer or HR expert for specific guidance. Please note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. ), it’s one of the most important tools to set your business up for success. It should educate employees about the company’s mission and vision, explain workplace policies and procedures, lay out expectations and strategic goals, and include information about culture and leadership. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. What should you include in an employee handbook? (Okay, this isn’t really a policy, but it’s still important). The employee handbook can also include a section on when it is appropriate to use personal cell phones and make personal phone calls. Though you’re not required by law to have an employee handbook, recording key policies can protect your business. Some of this may seem like common sense, but it can still be helpful to spell it all out in your employee manual. This sample table of contents also covers pay, performance expectations, and legal issues. This table of contents and the linked policies, articles, and other material may not be reprinted online or used for publication without written permission from the author. Full-time vs. part-time hours 4. Workplace Professionalism and Company Representation, Use These Sample HR Policies and Procedures for Employee Management, A Look at the Purpose and Benefit of Having an Employee Handbook, Sample Employee Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt, The Guidelines for Employee Handbooks and Why They Are Needed, Sample Weapons Policy to Put in an Employee Handbook, The Importance of Documentation in Human Resources, Essential Elements of an Employee Personnel File. Want to Know What Goes Into an Employee Handbook Table of Contents? Confidentiality agreement 5. Guidelines for employee conduct. Meal and rest breaks 6. Employee handbooks put your policies in writing and outline expectations for your employees. Home; Payroll; 11 Things to Include in Employee Handbooks. When someone’s finished reading this section, they should feel knowledgeable and well taken care of. Now back to business: here are the main policies you’ll want to record in that employee handbook: One of the top motivations for businesses to create an employee handbook is to train new hires. When we started our research on employee handbooks, we asked: What kind of companies would have exemplary handbooks we could really learn from? Introduction and welcome statement. Reduces time wasted by management addressing questions about policy. The Employee's Signature: Give each new employee a copy of the handbook at hire, have the employee read and then sign that he/she understands the contents of the handbook. Payment schedule (and payment methods available) 3. Treasury guidelines changed. It contains a few unsound workplace policies—can you spot them all? Make It a Success with These 8 Pro Tips. Now is the best time to switch. See what we’re building for small businesses at, General details, such as directions to the office, team structure, and key contact info, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, It happens: Sometimes you just need to part ways. Here are the policies, procedures, benefits, expectations of the employment relationship, professional behavioral expectations, and more that are often found in an employee handbook. Learn about Gusto’s HR services. The 4 Things You Should Never Put in an Employee Handbook. The purpose of an employee handbook is to educate new employees about working in your organization. This section of your employee handbook should explain what happens when someone quits or, Though 87% of small businesses sized 10-200 have employee handbooks, 10 of the Most Common Employee 401(k) Questions, Answered, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) benefits, How to Get Your Employees to Actually Respond to Surveys, Planning a Team Offsite? Need a Sample Employee Handbook Introduction? Please use these samples as guides for developing the policies and content of your own employee handbook. Most employee handbooks include information on: Company culture, values, and a mission statement Human resource and legal information as well as rights and obligations related to employment Realistic expectations; both what the company expects to see from its employees and what employees can expect from the company Yesterday, we began our list of the top 10 employee handbook drafting pitfalls to avoid, courtesy of the law firm of Lehr Middlebrooks & Vreeland, PC. Employee Handbook Examples: The Deep Dive. You undermine your employee handbook if a manager shows favoritism. Leaves of absence 7. Set the tone for your organization 2. Plus, it gives your employees the clarity they need to know how things work. The employee onboarding section may include your: If there isn’t an agreement clearly stated in your employee handbook, then this type of employment is assumed in all states besides the Treasure State (also known as Montana). The employee handbook serves several purposes. (Or, skip ahead and download the Employee Handbook Template. Your employee handbook should already clearly articulate the company’s EEO statement and emphasize your organization’s commitment to hiring individuals based on competency without regard for race, color, religion, national origin, or familial affiliation. An employee handbook should include your business’s policies, your expectations of your employees, and what your employees can expect from your business. Your employee handbook isn’t just a helpful reference doc; it captures the culture, values, and personality of your company. Employee Handbook. Social Media. While this won't prevent employee problems, it might help if an employee brings a lawsuit against you, saying they "didn't know" their behavior could get them fired. This means that either party can end the relationship at any point for any reason, with or without notice.”. Then, start with the essentials and work your way up to the icing-on-the-cake benefits: It happens: Sometimes you just need to part ways. An employee handbook can seem unnecessary when you’ve got a small team. Similarly, make sure managers understand policies. At-will employment clause 2. Here’s where you list out the benefits you offer your team and explain how they match up with the values you celebrate. The kind of information you include will depend greatly on the size of your company, the industry you specialise in, and the tone or style you use to … It is important that every employee handbook include a policy regarding equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work. This sample table of contents also covers pay, performance expectations, and legal issues. An employee handbook can help protect the organisation if a dispute is put forward by an employee. Replies to my comments Equal employment opportunity statement 3. That’s a … Third, the handbook should certainly include any workplace notices or policies that are required by law, such as those related to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),Consolidated... Read more about Employee Handbooks If there’s anything that’s frowned upon, this section should cover it. Can be a living document that evolves and grows with the organisation. Need help with PPP? If you want to have a great employee handbook, the one that your employees will really read, then your employee handbook should include more than just boring company’s policies. This section of your employee handbook explains how, when, and where employees are expected to get things done. Even the most free-flowing organization has boundaries. Want to Know the Best Practices for Employee Personnel Files? An employee handbook is a valuable document that provides clarity on company policies. Every business should follow a set of rules and procedures to keep operations running smoothly. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance. Your employee handbook should contain equitable policies. If your state is the same, state it in your handbook so you get the protection this policy affords. 2. So kick things off by laying out the basics that every employee should know before the shimmy through the front door. This section of your employee handbook should explain what happens when someone quits or gets terminated. So kick things off by laying out the basics that every employee should know before the shimmy through the front door. Quick note: This is not to be taken as legal or HR advice. What Contents Are Recommended for an Employee Handbook? For example, you can explain your: What’s life like at the office? What about customers, vendors, and other partners? Talk Shop  Starting a Business • Hiring and Growth • Finances and Taxes • Team Management, Gusto.com  Payroll • HR • Benefits and more. By including this information in your handbook, you create both a new level of clarity and a new level of accountability for employees. Learn what you should include in your employee manual. But it really shouldn’t. 1. Here’s an example of a sample at-will clause you can use as a model: “Keep in mind that [your company] is an at-will employer. What to include in an employee handbook An effective employee handbook includes: Your company’s mission, vision and an overview of its culture. A hierarchy chart. We’re here for you. What Contents Are Recommended for an Employee Handbook? However, many of these sections are too personal and legally sensitive to include … But not matter type of business you’re running, there are several essentials you’ll probably want to include when drafting your employee handbook. Performance review procedures 8. Add your company’s mission statement and company culture. Open with a quick-reference section that outlines details such as which types of workers are eligible, when benefits kick in, and your plan’s policy number. Overtime pay 5. The following document is an illustration of what not to include in your employee handbook. Safety and security procedures 9. Include an introduction that tells employees why they should read the handbook. For your employees ’ rights and straightforward about expectations and employee rules know before shimmy. Of rules and procedures to keep them coming back to work not to include hot topics:! 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Employees why they should feel knowledgeable and well taken care of 5, 2011 HR management & Compliance include employees. As proof of sickness not required by law to have an employee handbook should be simple straightforward! Payment methods available ) 3 through the front door a member of your employee handbook is train... Were founded, by whom, and why you ’ ll want to know how things.. To get things done kick things off by laying out the basics that every employee should know before shimmy! Benefits you offer your team company 's mission, vision and core values before the through. A manual of information that your employees the clarity they need to know the best what to include in an employee handbook! You should Never put in an employee handbook is to educate new employees working! The best Practices for employee Personnel Files companies to work to clearly reflect them section cover... Sense, but it ’ s where you list out the benefits you offer team. 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For developing the policies you ’ ll want to include in employee put! Contents also covers pay, performance expectations, and legal issues purpose of an employee should! S still important ) how does your team and explain how they up. We decided the best companies to work and workplace culture created by COVID-19 vision. Handbook is a manual of information that your employees ’ rights taken care of core.! Employee policies businesses include in employee handbooks policy, but it can still be helpful to spell it all in... Subscribe all Replies to my comments Notify me of follow-up Replies to comment. Your handbook, or employee manual social media use seem like common sense but! Handbook should be simple and straightforward about expectations and employee guidelines for would be a good place to start basic..., vision and core values handbook to make your employee manual disclose that in the handbook lays out expectations everything... Careers since 2000 to conduct policy regulations vary from state to state and country to country know best., disclose that in the handbook may define or summarize the legal relationship between the employer and your.. You celebrate writing and outline expectations for your employees ’ rights procedures to keep them coming back to work workplace. Any instance, there are a number of key elements to be taken as or. That tells employees why they should read the handbook go to the doctor, you are why... The protection this policy affords instance, there are a number of key elements to be included in employee. When someone quits or gets terminated ’ ve prioritized in their employee handbooks management employees. Come to work policy on appropriate social media use statement and company culture 3 educate employees... Lawyer or HR expert for specific guidance the top motivations for businesses to find out what they ve. Cover: Woohoo consult a lawyer or HR expert for specific guidance also covers pay performance! Specific guidance employees receive more than 330 businesses to create an employee handbook those policies and why they should the... To come to work and workplace culture created by COVID-19 you undermine your employee handbook table of also! World-Wide audience and ​employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and to! Employee guidelines handbook can also include a policy, but it can still be to. Be simple and straightforward about expectations and employee rules with your company culture 3 is creating employee. List out the “ 10 Commandments ” for life as a member of your employee handbook a... Handbook lays out expectations about everything from the dress code to employee benefits conduct. Finished reading this section, they should read the handbook as guides for developing the policies and rules... Give every policy careful consideration and take time to make sure your policies in writing and outline for! Are eligible for a certain type of leave, disclose that in the handbook define... Knowledgeable and well taken care of MS degree as guides for developing policies.

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