11 Important Elements to Include in Your Employee Handbook
By samaresan@hubspot.com (Swetha Amaresan)
In most roles I’ve begun, an employee handbook was the first internal document I read. So naturally, I’d make a lot of assumptions about the kind of place I was hired at based on the employee handbook.
From vacation policies to dress codes to nondiscrimination policies, employee handbooks have given me a clear overview of the dos, don’ts, regulations, and expectations of my new role.
They’ve also helped pique my excitement, especially when the company mission, values, and culture are laid out.
Below, I’ll cover the importance of an employee handbook, nine essential elements to include, an employee handbook template, and examples to help guide yours.
Table of Contents
What is an employee handbook?
An employee handbook is an exhaustive document outlining an organization’s policies, procedures, and employee expectations.
It’s a crucial resource for new hires and existing staff. Employees can overview their rights and responsibilities as members of the company.
Why is having an employee handbook important?
Employee handbooks are essential for several reasons, for both the employer and employees. Here’s why.
1. Inform new hires.
When I was hired at Paramount, I underwent a two-day orientation and onboarding.
During this period, I received an employee handbook that outlined staff expectations. That document included ways to promote privacy, harmony, safety, and community.
The handbook was a helpful resource for better understanding Paramount’s culture and how I could be an upstanding member of such a large, global organization.
It was also a relief to know this was a guide I could continuously refer to whenever questions or concerns arose.
2. Document mandated policies.
Paramount requires us to complete several regular employee trainings, including anti-sexual harassment, anti-discrimination, business conduct, and more. These trainings coincide with federal, state, and local laws that companies must uphold.
Employee handbooks are a great place for companies to outline these policies to ensure all staff are given the information they need and that employers comply with laws and regulations.
3. Declare company goals.
Most successful companies have cohesive vision propositions, mission statements, and values that provide context for the company’s purpose. These statements also guide employees toward a shared goal.
Modern employee handbooks include this information to guarantee all workers are immediately made aware of why they were hired and how they can play a role in the greater vision.
Reading this information in my employee handbooks also helped me grow enthusiasm and passion for my upcoming work.
What to Include in an Employee Handbook
Knowing where to begin is difficult when crafting an employee handbook. Check out the sections I have found most useful.
1. Introduction to Company …read more
Source:: HubSpot Blog
Author: Aaron
