An Employee Handbook, sometimes referred to as a staff manual or business handbook, is a comprehensive document provided to employees. It details your company's policies, culture, and the expectations regarding behaviour and performance in the workplace.
This handbook serves as an essential tool for introducing new staff to your organisation, offering them a clear understanding of how the company operates. It's also a valuable resource for existing employees, providing a reference point for workplace policies and procedures.
When creating an employee handbook, it's important to tailor the content to the specific requirements of your business and the industry you are in. This customisation ensures that the handbook is relevant, useful, and reflects the unique aspects of your company and its operational environment.
Customise Your Company Policies
Customising your company policies in the Employee Handbook is vital to ensure all employees, regardless of their background and experiences, understand what is considered appropriate in your workplace. Since businesses and industries vary greatly, your handbook should be tailored to reflect the unique aspects of your company.
A practical approach to make the handbook engaging and accessible is to use a slideshow format, especially for employee inductions. This method is more interactive and less daunting than a lengthy document. You can enhance this with e-learning modules to reinforce key messages. However, having a written document is also important for employees to refer back to.
Your handbook should cover the essentials like company culture, workplace policies and procedures, expectations and standards of behaviour, and important onboarding information. Additionally, you can include policies specific to your business needs, such as customer service guidelines, complaint handling procedures, or shift work policies, ensuring they comply with relevant laws.
This tailored approach not only informs employees about the standard practices and expectations but also integrates them into the specific working environment of your business.
Set Expectations From Day 1
Company policies and procedures outlined in an Employee Handbook are instrumental in setting clear expectations for employee behaviour and performance standards. Integrating the handbook into the induction process for new employees is highly effective, rather than simply leaving them to read it independently. Reviewing the key aspects of the handbook during induction ensures that employees are familiar with its contents and provides an opportunity for them to ask questions and gain clarity.
The handbook also serves as a valuable tool for managing employee expectations. It can inform them about the company's approach to reward and recognition, ongoing training and development opportunities, and the protocols for disciplinary actions or handling complaints.
There are several benefits to having an Employee Handbook. It helps in clarifying expectations, reducing misunderstandings, and fostering a transparent and well-informed work environment. This clarity can contribute significantly to a more harmonious and efficient workplace, where both employees and employers understand their roles, rights, and responsibilities.
What Should An Employee Handbook Include?
Structuring your Employee Handbook should be tailored to your company's size, industry, and communication style. Despite the flexibility in its composition, certain key elements are generally essential for all handbooks:
- Welcome Note: A friendly introduction for new staff.
- Company Background: Insight into the company's culture and history.
- Mission and Vision: Outline the company's core goals and aspirations.
- Code of Conduct: Standards of behaviour expected from employees.
- Health and Safety Policy: Guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.
- Workplace Procedures: Daily operational procedures of the company.
- Grievance Procedures: Steps for addressing and resolving workplace issues.
- Equal Opportunity Policies: Commitment to fairness and non-discrimination.
- Work Hours: Details on regular working hours and overtime policies.
- Leave Processes: Procedures for various types of leave.
- Performance Standards: Expectations for employee performance.
- Disciplinary Procedures: Protocols for handling misconduct or performance issues.
- Internet and Social Media Policies: Guidelines for digital communications and online behaviour.
- Confidentiality and Privacy Policies: Protection of sensitive information.
- Company Rules: General rules and guidelines within the company.
- Training and Development: Opportunities for employee growth and skill enhancement.
- Termination Policies: Procedures for ending employment.
- Company Property Use: Policies for using company assets like vehicles or laptops.
Including these topics ensures that your handbook comprehensively covers the essential aspects of working at your company, providing a useful reference for both new and existing employees.
In addition to the general guidelines, it's crucial to tailor your Employee Handbook to include policies and procedures specific to your business. If implementing a new policy or making significant amendments, consultation with staff might be necessary, depending on the applicable industrial instrument. Avoid using generic policy templates found online; instead, ensure that the policies are relevant and applicable to your business and industry.
Key policies and procedures to clarify in your handbook may include:
- Absence and Sickness Policies: Guidelines on how absences due to illness are managed.
- Equality or Equal Opportunity Policy: Details on promoting fairness and preventing discrimination.
- Internet, Email, and Social Media Policy: Rules regarding the use of IT resources and online conduct.
- Use of Company Property Policy: Instructions on the proper use of company assets like vehicles or laptops.
- Bullying and Harassment Policy: Procedures to address and prevent workplace bullying and harassment.
- Appraisal Procedure: Processes for evaluating employee performance.
- Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure: Steps for managing employee misconduct and resolving grievances.
- Parental Leave Procedure: Details on the entitlements and process for parental leave.
- Performance Management Procedure: How performance issues are identified and managed.
- Resignation Procedure: Guidelines for employees to follow when resigning.
Including these specific policies ensures your handbook is a comprehensive resource for employees, clearly laying out the expectations and processes within your workplace.
Updating Your Employee Handbook
An employee handbook should be a living document, requiring regular updates to reflect changes within the company. To accommodate these updates, it's useful to include a provision in the employment contract or the handbook itself, stating that the handbook is not a fixed part of the contract and may be modified by the employer as needed.
Regular reviews and revisions of the handbook are essential to ensure it remains current and relevant. Upon updating the handbook, redistributing it to all staff is important to keep everyone informed of the latest policies and procedures.
Additionally, hosting a training or information session can be an effective way to communicate these changes to employees. Such sessions provide an opportunity for staff to ask questions and get clarifications on any aspects of the handbook they may be unsure about.
For assistance in drafting and updating your workplace policies, procedures, and documents like the Employee Handbook, you can reach out to Employment Compass. They offer free initial advice and can be contacted at 1300 144 002. This support can be invaluable in ensuring that your handbook accurately reflects your company's culture and complies with legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is An Employee Handbook A Legal Document?
While not a legal requirement, an employee handbook plays a crucial role in communicating rights and responsibilities to employees. It's beneficial for clarifying expectations and can be used in legal defences.
How Important Is An Employee Handbook?
An employee handbook is vital for setting behaviour standards and reducing misunderstandings, ensuring clear communication of workplace policies.
Do Small Businesses Need An Employee Handbook?
Yes, it's beneficial for businesses of all sizes to have a handbook to establish workplace standards and ensure consistent policy communication.
What Is The Difference Between Employee Handbook And Policy Manual?
An employee handbook is more comprehensive than a policy manual, encompassing company culture and values, along with detailed policies and benefits.
What Should Be Included In An Employee Handbook?
Include employment information, conduct codes, anti-discrimination policies, health and safety guidelines, leave procedures, performance standards, disciplinary policies, confidentiality, and equipment use policies.
How Much Does It Cost To Create An Employee Handbook?
Creating a handbook can be cost-free, but professional review for appropriateness may involve some cost.
Can I Add Documents To The Handbook?
Yes, if the handbook allows for updates and isn't part of the employment contract. Consider stand-alone policies for ease of updating.
Can An Employer Change The Employee Handbook?
You can change the handbook if it's not part of the employment contract, but employees must be notified of changes, and major alterations may require consultation.