What is an employee handbook?
An employee handbook is a collection of regulations, procedures, working conditions, and behavioural standards that govern employee behaviour in a specific company. The employee handbook contents can be accustomed to unite business and occupation-related data which employees need to know. It is also known as a representative manual, staff handbook, or organization strategy manual.
Composing an incredible employee handbook depends on an exhaustive comprehension of the organization and its way of life. Every company will have different needs, but here is an overview of what you should include in a standard employee manual:
- Company culture and history
- Company vision and mission
- Human resource, employment laws and legal advice
- Company policies and employee benefits including work hours, dress code, vacation, sick days, workplace bullying and harassment, etc.
What is the need for employee handbook?
An employee handbook establishes clear expectations for your employees by mentioning employee rights and legal obligations. Employee manuals help companies avoid lawsuits and claims from employees, such as wrongful termination, harassment, and discrimination. The handbook also serves as an important introduction to your company for new employees, offering information that helps them grasp your vision and values.
What is to be included in an employee handbook?
Representative handbooks commonly incorporate three classes of substance:.
- General data: Including information regarding your organization's statement of purpose, basic beliefs, strategy synopses, etc.
- Social data: Including information regarding the excursion time, organization advantages, occasion plans clothing standard, and so forth.
- Case-explicit data: Including information regarding organization strategies, disciplinary and complaint methods, and so forth.
An employee handbook is the ideal place to outline your employees rights and obligations related to employment but in plain English instead of the legal-jargon native to contracts. An example overview, or Table of Contents, for contents that are commonly included in an employee handbook is provided below. The SHRM website has produced a sample employee handbook template.
1. Welcome Message
- Company Mission Statement
- Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
- Contractual Disclaimer and At-Will Statement
- Purpose of the Employee Handbook
- Background Information on the Company
- Orientation
2. 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
3. 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
4. Employee and Employer Responsibility for Safety
- Commitment of the Company
- Emergency Procedures
- Medical Services
- Personal Protective Equipment
- OSHA Requirements: Safety Rules, Reporting Accidents
5. Procedures
- Standards of Conduct
- Progressive Discipline
- Exit Process
6. Summary and Acknowledgment
- The Importance of the Policies and Procedures
- Acknowledgment of Receipt
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