Have You Updated Your Employee Handbook?
It’s the end of the year and a great time to review your Employee Handbook!
Your handbook is a huge opportunity to set the tone for new team members joining your organization and a nice reminder for your existing team members. It not only provides an overview of your company’s policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state laws, but also conveys the values of your organization. You are in essence, letting a new team member know what is expected of them as an employee, and what they can expect from you as the employer.
An employee handbook is not a “one size fits all”. It should be should be unique to your organization and culture. Your policies should reflect your who you are as a company, for example do you have an unlimited vacation policy, or do you have a set number of weeks an employee receives based on their level within the organization and/or years of service? Is your vacation policy to “use it or lose it” or do employees have the ability to carry over unused vacation each year. Is your company’s dress code casual, business casual, or professional? Your handbook tells a story to employees about the company they have joined, what is important to the organization, along with acceptable business conduct and behavior.
In addition to your handbook being a great communication vehicle, it also serves as a critical tool for protecting your company from inconsistencies and potential legal issues.
So what should be included in your handbook?
A welcome message to employees
An introduction or overview of the company
Employment at Will and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Business Conduct and Ethics
Policies and Procedures
Conflicts of Interest
Benefits Information
Payroll and Pay Information
Employee Conduct and Disciplinary Action
Applicable State and Federal Laws
A disclaimer your handbook is subject to change
Acknowledgment of Receipt
A well written, up to date handbook is a powerful tool and a great resource for you and your employees. A recommended practice is to have your employment attorney or legal counsel review your employee handbook on an annual basis to ensure it reflects the most current laws and regulations. If you haven’t reviewed your handbook in a while, now is a great time to get started, so you can begin the New Year with clear, and well defined expectations.