The Employee Handbook

A well written and comprehensive employee handbook will benefit both the employee and the employer. Employees will gain a better sense of the organization and employers will know that they have made the policies and expectations clear to its workers.

Why Do You Need an Employee Handbook?

Introduces employees to the fundamentals of your organization’s culture

Your culture is the beliefs and values that members of the organization are expected to share. This introduction explains what you do and why you do it. It may also give employees a look into the history of your organization, how you got to where you are, and where you intend to go. Last but not least, it gives employees an idea of how they can contribute to the culture.

Communicates to employees what general behaviors and procedures are expected of them

These include general safety responsibilities, confidentiality expectations, timekeeping processes, reporting procedures, dress codes, and any other ways of doing things at your organization.

Educates employees about what they can expect from the organization’s leadership

Executives, managers, and HR departments have obligations to their employees—both those they’ve established themselves and those required by law. A good handbook tells employees what those obligations are and how they will be met. If your employees are entitled to leaves or accommodations, for example, your handbook should explain these.

Supports consistent enforcement of company policies

Employers expose themselves to risk when they interpret, apply, or enforce policies inconsistently. Transparency about policies and how they are enforced helps keep everyone accountable and the enforcement of rules consistent across the company.

Showcases the benefits the organization offers

Does your organization offer vacations, 401(k), health insurance, paid parental leave, or other employee benefits? If so, your handbook should outline these programs and their eligibility requirements.

10 Reasons You Need an Employee Handbook

In general, all businesses should create and update an employee handbook that clearly defines workforce policies and expectations. A handbook can resolve disputes before they occur and protect both the employer and employee from potential litigation.

Here are ten real-life examples that may seem familiar or could occur in your place of business, and demonstrate why you need an employee handbook.

Essential Employee Handbook Sections

A thorough employee handbook includes many sections and specific policies. Listed here are the sections applicable to most organizations and information about what each section might include. However, it is important to customize your handbook and include policies that are applicable to your business and its practices.

Don’t Wait to Update Your Handbook

There is a seemingly unending variety of new laws and changes to existing laws impacting employers of all sizes. To stay in compliance with federal and state regulations, you should update your employee handbook now to include prenatal leave, paid family leave, harassment training, paid sick leave, remote work policies, safety requirements, and more.

Other events may require additional policies or updates to be added to your employee handbooks, such as:

• Hiring employees from out of state
• Significant changes to employee count
• Adoption of a new internal policy, such as unlimited PTO or bereavement leave
• Changes in current policies, such as reimbursement or accruals
• Changes in benefits such as medical, dental, or life insurance

GTM Can Help with Handbook Compliance

GTM works with you to create an employee handbook that is compliant with state and federal laws. Our depth of knowledge in workplace policies and best practices ensures that the employees’ and employers’ needs are taken into account and will give the employer peace of mind.

Are you doing payroll in-house or through an accountant? No problem! Our Employee Handbook service can be purchased separately from our payroll services.

Find out how GTM can help you build and customize a comprehensive employee handbook tailored to your organization. Call (518) 373-4111 or email us at [email protected].