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No matter what the size of your organization, a great way to communicate expectations is through an employee handbook. A carefully written handbook can also help defend your business in the event of lawsuits or other challenges. Handbook guidelines An effective handbook clearly spells out expectations—what you expect of employees, and what they can expect from you. It’s also flexible and legally defensible. Use handbook templates as guidelines only; target content to your specific needs. Write in clear, unambiguous language that all readers can understand. Allow for flexibility on key employment decisions (like rewarding top performers). Maintain content that will change frequently, like work-specific procedures, separately. Consult with legal counsel to ensure content is legally sound and up-to-date. Always have employees acknowledge they’ve read and understand the handbook.
Sample topics There’s no “one-size-fits-all” employee handbook; include what makes the most sense for your organization. Here are some common topics covered in employee handbooks: Company information: Brief coverage of history, mission, vision, culture Legal compliance: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employment At-Will policy statements Attendance: Business hours; flextime hours; family leave; policy on working remotely Compensation: Salary and hourly classification; paydays; overtime; health and other benefits; workers’ compensation Employee performance: Performance review schedule, policy and procedures Employee behavior: Sexual harassment, respectful workplace policies; email and social media guidelines; dress code Use of assets: Policy on use of laptops, tablets, cell phones, etc. away the office Safety and security: Emergency preparedness; relevant OSHA guidelines Acknowledgement: Standalone or tear-out document to be signed by the employee for personnel files Need help developing an employee handbook or with other workforce issues? Contact your local American Job Center to connect with a Business Services Representative or other resources that can help.
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