How to Create New Policies & Manuals for Employee Handbooks
Write a policy or manual for your company's employee handbook to educate employees of appropriate behavior to better the company and promote productivity. Such documents are strategic to providing a company vision and culture. Business processes, hiring policies, benefits, workplace conditions and Internet policies should be detailed in the manual. Revisit the policy manual every year or so to update as needed, taking into account the shift to Internet business and changing workplace trends. Give an updated policy manual to each current employee and new hire.
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Instructions
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Start your employee handbook with a letter from the president or chief executive officer, welcoming new employees. Also include a short history or the mission of the company.
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Discuss employment and hiring policies. Label your company as an equal opportunity employer and how it meets other federal standards for business. List the necessary qualities for an employee of the company. List confidentiality agreements, if necessary. Describe the orientation process for new employees.
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Specify status and record policies. Detail employee record accessibility. If your business has varying clearance levels, define them here, along with the necessity for background or credit checks. Discuss employee evaluation terms and frequency.
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Discuss payroll policies. Detail how often employees will be paid, applicable deductions and pay advances. If overtime is applicable, summarize it here.
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List employee benefits. Talk about medical, eye and dental plans, along with health savings accounts, if necessary. Describe the company retirement plan or 401(k) matching. This is also the section in which to define vacation, sick and personal days, as well as company-recognized holidays.
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Review work place conditions, including telecommuting policies and conditions, dress code and flex time. Describe appropriate use of company property, such as cars, computers, office equipment and common areas like the kitchen or break room.
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Examine ideal employee conduct. Detail company policies on smoking, harassment and substance abuse.
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Ponder appropriate online behavior, including what the company deems fitting email- and Internet-browsing conduct. If certain websites or emails are off limits, detail which ones at this point.
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Bring the policy manual to an end by detailing record keeping to be done by employees, including reporting mileage, self-evaluations and project management.
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Compile the policy into a single document and proofread it thoroughly. Have the appropriate company personnel review it as well. Make any final changes to complete the manual. Keep a copy on the company's website or server, and give a copy to each current employee and new hire as they join the company.
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Tips & Warnings
Note that a policy manual, while it does list rules and restrictions, actually empowers employees. When they know what is expected of them, employees perform better and are more likely to succeed.
