Employee handbooks:

 

• Set employee expectations for the workplace.

• Improve employee/employer relations.

• Limit legal exposure and help defend against wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment claims.

 

Why Create a Handbook

 

An employee handbook may not be required by law, but smart employers know it’s a best practice.

 

Protection

 

Enhance your chances of prevailing against potential litigation by demonstrating that you clearly communicated all workplace guidelines to your employees. Inform employees of their responsibilities to protect company information. Define acceptable standards of workplace behavior by identifying and prohibiting specific unlawful employee acts and behaviors.

 

Efficiency

 

Detail critical policies such as at-will employment to minimize legal land mines. Establish guidelines for management to make quicker, more consistent decisions while reducing risks or unfair employee treatment complaints lawsuits.

 

Communication

 

Capture proof from employees of their receipt of the employee handbook. 

 

Benefits to the HR Compliance Center Employee Handbook Builder

 

Your benefits:

 

• Saves you time, money, and resources

• Always federally compliant.

• Word document that you can circulate, saving you printing and distribution costs.

 

FAQ

 

Q: What is an employee handbook?

 

A: An employee handbook is a tool for communicating information to employees. A well-drafted employee handbook should describe what the employer expects of employees, as well as what employees can expect from the employer. It should also inform employees of the employer’s legal obligations and their rights as employees. What specific policies should be included in an employee handbook, outside those required by law, is largely dependent upon the size and nature of the employer.

 

Q: What are the benefits to having an employee handbook?

 

A: There are many benefits to having an employee handbook, including:

Increased efficiency. The employee handbook should be a one-stop shop for basic information about how the company works. Having this information easily available in the employee handbook prevents managers and supervisors from having to take time away from their schedules to answer basic questions regarding day-to-day operations of the business. For example, the following often-asked questions could be alleviated by including the information in an employee handbook:

 

• What holidays do we have off this year?

• Does overtime need to be approved in advance?

• How many day of sick leave do I get in a year?

• How does my vacation time accrue?

 

Defined Expectations.

 

By clearly articulating the standards employees will be held to (i.e., codes of conduct, absentee policies, anti-bullying policies, etc.) and outlining the consequences for failing to meet those standards (including disciplinary procedures), employees are less likely to engage in conduct that may result in disciplinary action or even termination. It’s difficult for an employee to engage in an "I didn’t know" defense when they have signed for, and acknowledged that they have read and understand, the employee handbook. From an employee standpoint, being able to view the employer’s disciplinary procedure gives an appearance of fairness that all employees will be treated equally. From a management perspective, an employee handbook provides supervisors and managers clear guidance on how to identify and address certain issues or problems (i.e., sexual harassment, absenteeism, tardiness).

 

Reduced Exposure to lawsuits.

 

An employer’s failure to treat similarly situated employees in a like manner often leads to allegations of discrimination. For example, if two employees commit the same violation of a company policy, and one employee gets a warning while the other is terminated, the employer is likely to face an allegation of disparate treatment discrimination. An employee handbook can reduce these types of lawsuits by helping ensure that disciplinary, as well other company policies, are applied consistently to all employees.

 

On-Line Handbook Builder Contents and Features

 

• Handbook materials compliant with all federal requirements and laws.

• Enter your personal business profile information.

• Review all sections to select specific policies you want included.

• Delivered to you in an editable Word document.

• No delivery costs.

 

Benefits to the HR Compliance Center Employee Handbook Builder

 

• Company Information

• President’s Welcome

• Introductory Language and Policies

• Hiring and Orientation

• Policies Wage and Hour

• Policies Performance, Discipline, Layoff, and Termination Policies

• General Policies

• Benefits Information

• Safety and Loss Prevention Policies

• Trade Secrets and Inventions Policies

• Customer Relations Policies

• Closing Statement

• Acknowledgment of Receipt and Review