Building or updating an employee handbook and ensuring it complies with all federal and state policies can take as long as 8 weeks without the right tools.
How to write an employee handbook Include your company's mission statement. Write a brief section on company history. State any legal declarations. Explain your dress code. Include details about work hours. Define duties. Include department-specific policies. Describe company benefits.
If you need to produce physical manuals, FrameMaker or InDesign (if they are shorter, quick start manuals) will do a good job. You can get away with Word, but the page layout features are not as good.
Answer Cover page. Table of contents: It is important to include a table of contents so the reader knows where to look for pertinent information. Welcoming statement: This statement sets the tone for the entire handbook. Introduction to the handbook: What is the history behind the handbook?
What should not be included in an employee handbook? Legalese. Company procedures, work processes, and job descriptions should not be included so that you will not need to update the entire handbook each time one of these changes. Health and welfare benefits details.
Key Components of employee handbooks Company Values and Mission Overview. Comprehensive Employment Details. Compensation and Benefits. Employee Conduct and Discipline. Safety and Security. Technology and Equipment Usage. Training and Development. Disclaimer.