Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about policies and protect themselves legally. Whether or not you need an employee manual is your decision, though it can be a great tool for keeping your policies consistent. Make sure you have your employee manual reviewed by a lawyer to make sure it is compliant with local and federal laws. Some employers also require employees to sign a document stating that they have read and understand the policies in the guide. The following is a sample outline that you can use as a guideline for your manual: 1.Welcome & Introduction 2.Purpose of Handbook 3.Company Mission Statement 4.Company History 5.Employee Responsibilities & Code of Conduct 6.Discipline Procedures 7.Attendance and Punctuality 8.Time Cards 9.Work Hours, Breaks & Lunch Breaks 10.Overtime Policy 11.Payday 12.Payroll Deductions 13.Performance Reviews and Wage Increases 14.Promotions 15.Resignation and Termination 16.Telephone Usage 17.Benefits Overview a.Medical b.Dental c.Vision d.Employee Assistance Program e.Vacation f.Sick Time g.Tuition Reimbursement h.Life Insurance i.Disability Benefits j.Employee Discount k.Employee Referral Bonus l.Years of Service Awards 18.Leave of Absence a.Sick b.Family Leave c.Funeral d.Disability e.Jury Duty f.Military g.Maternity h.Unpaid Leave 19.Emergency Procedures 20.Summary and Acknowledgement Keep your employee manual current by reviewing the contents and updating it often. You may want to provide each employee with a copy as part of your hiring process. You can protect your business as well as your employees by outlining clear policies and addressing questions early. |
