Contents of an Effective Employee Handbook

Although every employee handbook should be drafted to specifically meet the needs of the unique business involved, below are a few areas that should be covered:

Don’t overlook the importance of setting forth your company’s goals and mission. Employees who understand and relate to your business mission statement will feel ownership in its future. The mission statement doesn’t have to be lengthy or fancy.

Employment law covers a broad spectrum of areas. Your employee handbook must do the same. It should discuss discrimination, sexual harassment , types of leave (sick days, vacation, etc.), dress code, benefits, disciplinary procedures, and a variety of other similar matters.

One topic that employers often forget is workplace bullying. While having a policy against violence in the workplace may not prevent it from occurring, it will put all employees on notice that bullying will not be tolerated and all reports will be taken seriously. The handbook should outline the process employees should follow to report workplace violence, as well as how the company will handle investigations of complaints.

To avoid confusion and claims by employees for breach of contract, your handbook should clearly state that it does not constitute an employment contract. It should specifically detail the nature of the at-will nature of employment of all employees, unless they are specifically excluded in writing.

Your employees will most likely be active on social media sites, so it is important for your handbook to cover employment matters that may arise from their posts on such sites. For instance, the handbook should clearly prohibit posting of your business’s confidential or non-public information.

If an employee has a dispute with your company, the handbook should detail the process that must be followed to report it. The process may begin with the employee submitting an internal grievance notification. This not only provides the employer the chance to deal with the matter internally, it also demonstrates to the employee that management cares about them.

The above are just a few examples of the topics that should be covered in an employee handbook. Obtaining the right advice from the start can significantly increase the likelihood of your business being a success. Contact The Swenson Law Firm for help.

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