Employee handbook Overview Employee handbooks are an important tool for companies to communicate their goals, procedures, policies, and expectations with employees. Ideally, handbooks are a useful point of reference, and help to avoid miscommunications regarding workplace conduct. The key to a well-crafted handbook is including necessary information without making it monotonous or overloaded. To Include […]

Employee handbook
Overview
Employee handbooks are an important tool for companies to communicate their goals, procedures, policies, and expectations with employees. Ideally, handbooks are a useful point of reference, and help to avoid miscommunications regarding workplace conduct. The key to a well-crafted handbook is including necessary information without making it monotonous or overloaded.
To Include
Best practices suggest that including the following can be helpful in establishing a successful employee handbook:
- Mission Statement and Goals – Offer employees insight into the company’s culture and goals.
- Sexual Harassment & Discrimination – Provide clarity on policies regarding harassment or discrimination.
- Compensation – Include wage and hour laws, taxes, pay schedule, raise policy, overtime, and injury compensation.
- Schedule – Explain attendance and punctuality requirements. Note shift change and requesting time off procedures.
- Employee Conduct – Include dress code and workplace conduct expectations.
- Problem Resolution – Provide a procedure for how employees can handle problems they encounter with co-workers, customers, etc.
- General Information – Mention any specific information regarding employment eligibility, training, referrals, workplace safety requirements, termination procedure, etc.
Final Tips
Ideally, an employee handbook can be a helpful resource for employees to turn to whenever questions or situations arise in the workplace. Establishing a thorough and compliant handbook early on can be a valuable asset for everyone moving forward. Want a leg up? See our employee handbook examples for more information.
Helpful Links:
Tips on Writing and Employee Handbook – SBA.gov
Checklist for Employee Handbook – hrworld.com