Smart Benefits: 8 Reasons to Have an Employee Handbook
Monday, February 16, 2015
1) Introduces Employees to an Organization’s Culture, Mission, and Values
2) Communicates What is Expected of Employees
A handbook provides employees an understanding of their responsibilities, as well as an organization’s policies and procedures. By providing this clear, accessible information, handbooks ensure companies continue moving in the right direction.
3) Educates Employees About What They Can Expect From Management and Leadership
An employee handbook clarifies company objectives and leadership styles, as well as management best practices, to foster healthy management-employee relationships.
4) Helps Communicate Company Policies Clearly and Consistently
A handbook will accurately communicate your organization’s policies regarding employment, conduct and behavior, compensation, and other policies and procedures your organization follows.to eliminate confusion and inconsistencies.
5) Showcases the Benefits an Organization Offers
From vacations and 401k to health insurance and paid parental leave, the handbook communicates benefits and their eligibility requirements. Since a robust benefits package can help you retain your best employees, be sure to include these in the handbook.
6) Ensures Compliance with Federal and State Laws
A handbook is useful in demonstrating that your organization strives to be compliant with state and federal regulations, such as state disability leaves, federal FMLA leave, and other government mandates.
7) Helps Defend Against Employee Claims
If you face a lawsuit or similar challenge from an employee, one of the most useful documents you can provide your attorney or third party investigator is your handbook and the employee’s signed acknowledgement page that shows the he or she had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the organization’s policies and agreed to follow the terms and conditions of employment set forth by the organization.
8) Lets Employees Know Where to Turn for Help
Employees should feel comfortable turning to a trusted member of management for help when they want to report workplace violations, get workplace-related assistance, and ask any questions. A handbook not only outlines one or two management members an employee can turn to, but also designates another individual in the event the employee disagrees with the first decision
Related Slideshow: Massachusetts Business Rankings
See how Massachusetts stacked up.
Related Articles
- Smart Benefits: Is Your Wellness Program EEOC-Proof?
- Smart Benefits: Are Double-Digit Premium Increases a Thing of the Past?
- Smart Benefits: New IRS Guidance on FTE Look-Back Period
- Smart Benefits: Obamacare Exchanges: Enrollment Expectations
- Smart Benefits: When Dental and Vision Don’t Count…Under PPAC, That Is
- Smart Benefits: Remember to Provide SBCs at Open Enrollment – or Pay
- Smart Benefits: Two Regs Issued on Contraceptive Coverage
- Smart Benefits: IRS Releases Draft Forms for ACA Reporting
- Smart Benefits: Popularity of HSAs Continues to Rise
- Smart Benefits: New IRS Publication Tells Individuals if They’ll Pay an ACA Penalty at Tax Time
- Smart Benefits: Are Skinny Plans Becoming a Big Draw?
- Smart Benefits: Deadline Next Week for Health Plan Identifiers
- Smart Benefits: November 15 Key for Individual – and Employer – Health Exchange Enrollment
- Smart Benefits: Start 2015 by Planning for Health Reform Changes in 2016
- Smart Benefits: CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Definition of Spouse
- Smart Benefits: The Employer Mandate Has Arrived
- Smart Benefits: New Forms for Filing this Tax Season
- Smart Benefits: Voluntary Benefits Up with Employers and Employees
- Smart Benefits: Consumerism Continues
- Smart Benefits: Hardship Exemptions from Individual Mandate Published
- Smart Benefits: Supreme Court Will Hear Health Insurance Subsidy Challenge
- Smart Benefits: Employers Can’t Pay for Purchase of Employees Individual Health Insurance
- Smart Benefits: Serve Up Wellness for the Holidays
- Smart Benefits: Transitional Reinsurance Enrollment Count Deadline Extended to Dec. 5
- Smart Benefits: FLSA Exempt Status Change for Home Care Workers Halted
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It