A critical component of your employee handbook is the general information about being employed with your company. Moreover, a comprehensive employee handbook helps protect your business legally if anyone ever questions whether you've clearly communicated your policies. Visit our Contact Us Page, Payment schedule (and payment methods available), Rules around accepting gifts from clients, Any retirement plans you offer and who's eligible, Insurance coverage you offer, including life insurance and short- and/or long-term disability, Training benefits, including tuition reimbursement, Any âsoft" benefits you may provide, whether that's flexible scheduling, on-site yoga classes, or free lunches on Friday. Below are some guidelines for how to write an effective employee handbook: 1. You should be able to find detailed descriptions of your state's laws on your state government's website. Employee handbooks are the easiest way to disseminate important information to your employees about the policies, procedures and expectations of the business. An employee handbook is given to new employees from the employer. Before you start writing your employee handbook, you should plan out exactly what you will include. Read on to discover … Give visual example of acceptable clothing and grooming, since ideas may vary between social groups and generations. ", National Federation of Independent Business, http://wheniwork.com/blog/8-tips-on-how-to-write-your-first-employee-handbook/, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/80424, http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/what-to-include-in-employee-handbook.html, https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/hire-retain-employees/employee-handbooks, http://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/whats-the-difference-between-exempt, http://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/employees/7-tips-for-creating-an-employee-handbook/#sm.00001ulmzacdyad9jsp51jzyqwlpg, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, For example, you may state: “We at [Company Name] are confident you will find our company is a dynamic and engaging place to work, and we look forward to your contribution to our continued success. It's essential that your employees know and understand these policies â because you'll run a more effective organization if they do and because you don't want to risk having your company break federal or state laws. Put simply, every business should have one. An employee handbook, also sometimes called an employee manual or a policies and procedures manual, is a document that tells your staff members what to expect when they work for you. One emerging best practice is creating an employee handbook addendum specifically built around modifications to work and workplace culture created by COVID-19. It is an aggregate of all the important information. When is the annual open enrollment period? You may want to opt for a more general discussion if you think the reporting process may change in the future. Creating an employee handbook doesn’t ensure compliance, of course, but it can help to put everyone on the same page and also protect a small business owner from certain liabilities. Often having an employee handbook isn’t something most businesses think about until there’s a pressing need. In particular, note any conduct that might result in immediate dismissal, such as drug and alcohol use, theft, harassment, violence, or other serious offenses. Not creating and maintaining a handbook, however, is one of the top human resources mistakes companies make. It is also referred to as a staff handbook or a staff manual. Some handbooks contain a statement that indicates an “at Will” relationship can be changed is if CEO or President of the company signs a statement indicating that … You may also discuss disciplinary action that may occur if the employee does not receive a positive performance review, such as a probationary period for the employee, followed by a second performance review or termination. Create an Employee Handbook in minutes using a step-by-step template. Make sure to include any relevant policies such as contribution matching or vesting periods. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Don't worry â this is completely natural. These can include equal employment opportunity, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination laws. An employee handbook can be a manager’s best friend. An employee handbook is an internal document in which you state your company’s mission, vision, culture, and legal aspects of employment. Hiring policies 2. A step-by-step guide to creating purpose built employee handbook, that employees remember, and HR management teams love. Copyright © 2020 SCORE Association, www.score.org, Resources to Help You Create an Effective Employee Handbook, No Handbook? % of people told us that this article helped them. Katie Evans-Reber and Steffi Wu of Gusto (YC W12) talk about the importance of creating an employee handbook and how to go about doing it. Read more, Putting company rules in writing helps set expectations and reduces misunderstandings. 6 tips to writing a great employee handbook. A small business has several resources available to help them put together a comprehensive employee handbook. It lets your employees understand the importance of the handbook and includes an area for employees to sign to acknowledge they have read the handbook. By using our site, you agree to our. A good handbook should reflect your company culture. Forget the jargon. In order to be successful, your employees have to be in alignment with your company's values, missions, and goals. Names like “employee handbook” and “staff manual” signal to your employees that the document is going to be long, laborious, and filled with boilerplate. We are not going to sugar-coat it, writing an Employee Handbook is not an easy task especially if you do not have a Human Resource team to create it for you. That said most employee handbooks include similar topics and types of information. Here is more information about what the Introduction section includes: Put simply, every business should have one. â use it to your advantage and help them fully understand all they get as part of working for your company. The Employment Law Handbook by The Lunt Group also provides links to a wide variety of both federal and state legal resources, including a state-by-state breakdown of employment and labor laws. Your employee handbook should be the road map for how to operate within your company–an introduction to your culture and a guide that your employees interact with on a regular basis. Very basic skills are required to complete the information necessary to prepare your company policy manual. Just the thought of writing an innumerable number of words to explain everything about your trade and your specific business is, without a doubt, tiring. With the perfect employee handbook of course! This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis. An Employee Handbook is a very important document in the life of any business which hires multiple employees.An Employee Handbook is a document established by the business that outlines the rules, practices, and procedures for employees at the company. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Addressing Employee Benefits and Compensation, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, U.S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-7.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-8.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Generate-Passive-Income-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Generate-Passive-Income-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Generate-Passive-Income-Step-13.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Generate-Passive-Income-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-9.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Outlining the Company's Standard of Conduct, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-10.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-11.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-12.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-13.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-14.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-15.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Be-Self-Employed-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-Self-Employed-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Be-Self-Employed-Step-13.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Be-Self-Employed-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-16.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-17.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-18.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-19.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-20.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-21.jpg\/aid1110106-v4-728px-Write-an-Employee-Handbook-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"