EffortlessHR

Header Right

Contact Us: +1.520.546.3947 or Email
Sign Up Free Log In

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Pricing
  • Customers
  • Try It FREE
  • Partners
  • Solutions
    • White Label HR Software
    • Security Info
    • Employee Handbook Builder
    • Templates & Forms
    • Job Descriptions
  • Blog

Easy to use, comprehensive Online HR Software

Try it Free

All-in-one web-based employee management

A complete HR management system in the cloud. Employee portal, PTO, time clock, applicant tracking, benefits, file storage, and more.
Home>>Employee Handbook Essentials

Employee Handbook Essentials

Posted on July 11, 2008 by Lola Kakes

As a Human Resource consultant, I have been asked, “How important is it to have an employee handbook/manual” And the add-on question is, “What goes into an employee handbook”

The first question can be pluses and minuses to a business owner – employment lawyers, consultants, and managers of organizations all disagree on the value of employee manuals. This disagreement comes from whether or not a manual is considered by the courts to be a contract for employment. Also, if not written correctly, the manual may inadvertently guarantee job security.

However, on the plus side, a handbook or manual can help increase morale. This is because when your employment practices are in writing, your employees feel they are being handled consistently and fairly. A well-written manual can save time because the employee know they can get the information they need about benefits, policy, procedures, etc. without interrupting their manager. In addition, handbooks and manuals provide the company with documentation that they are in compliance with important laws and regulations, that if not actively placed in the manual might be ignored (due to not knowing about it) or might prove to be unenforceable as you had not informed your employees about it.

So, the essentials of what goes in your manual would be:

  • Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations – both federal and state and in some instances local.
  • Although it may be helpful to review other handbooks for ideas and layout, you need to customize the manual to your company and include the policies that are part of your organization. Someone Else’s handbook may not be appropriate to your organization.
  • Only include policies in your handbook that you can support and follow. It will do you more harm if you put a policy in place and don’t follow it.
  • It is okay to have disclaimers. Content for disclaims vary due to state regulations, so check those state requirements before adding a disclaimer.
  • Make sure the disclaimer you use is clear and placed to be noticed.
  • Where appropriate, leave room for your managers and supervisors to handle violations of policies. Be able to allow them flexibility based on their judgment and experience.
  • Always require a signed acknowledgement that the employee has reviewed and received the manual. This signed document should be placed in their personnel file with a copy to the employee for their records.
  • Date any revisions and have the employee place them in their manual with a new acknowledgement signed and filed.

Remember, an out of date handbook is not only useless but may also create a risk to your company. Stay current on laws and regulations and keep your manual up to date.

An example of a not-so-great but funny employee handbook can be found over at the Punk Rock HR Blog

Related Posts

  • EffortlessHR Introduces Online Employee Handbook Builder
  • What is the "State" of your Employee Handbook?
  • Employee Handbooks - Yes or No
  • Understanding Employee Turnover
  • Employee Orientation Process

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paul Burri says

    July 18, 2008 at 9:21 am

    Dear Lola,

    Good advice. I had an employee manual for several years up until I sold the business. A few additional comments about an employee manual.
    1. Provide a way to make changes or modifications in the manual as your business grows and/or changes. My manual was spring bound and it was not easy to add changes from time to time.
    2. Another big advantage of having a manual is when you sell the business. It is a valuable asset that increases the value of the business.

    Paul

  2. Danna Nordin says

    January 14, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    Is it necessary to state your company is compliant with I-9 regulations in an EE handbook? Seems it’s the ER’s responsibility, not EE’s?

  3. Simon says

    July 2, 2017 at 2:36 am

    issuance of employee handbook is a common practice, but is the handbook legally binding?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe

Enjoy our blog? Enter your email address to be the first to receive updates as we post:

Categories

  • Blogging
  • Business Planning
  • Compensation
  • Customer Service
  • Emergency Planning
  • Employee Hiring
  • Employee Issues
  • Employee Policies
  • HR
  • Jobs
  • Labor Laws
  • Lead Articles
  • Legal Issues
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Press
  • Remote working
  • Scheduling
  • Technology
  • Training & Development
  • Uncategorized
  • Webinars

Friends

  • Bompus

Footer

Pages

  • Home
  • Pricing
  • Customers
  • Try It FREE
  • Partners
  • Solutions
    • White Label HR Software
    • Security Info
    • Employee Handbook Builder
    • Templates & Forms
    • Job Descriptions
  • Blog

News & Updates

5 Reasons HR is So Important for Business Success

December 19, 2022

How Human Resource Professionals Can Use Technology to Improve Workplace Safety

December 12, 2022

Best Practices To Improve Employee Engagement At the Workplace

December 5, 2022

Contact Us

  • Email: Contact Us
  • Call: +1.520.546.3947

Stay Connected

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

© 2023 EffortlessHR. All Rights Reserved.            Privacy Policy