According to recent studies by SHRM and GuideSpark, a large proportion of employees either do not read their employee handbooks or even if they do, they don’t feel very knowledgeable about the basics of employer-sponsored benefits. Your employee handbook is part of your brand and value proposition for your employees. Use it as an opportunity to engage, re-engage and exceed expectations.

What an employee handbook is for

1. Set the Tone – Most employee handbooks start with the organization’s mission, a letter from senior leadership, or a statement to frame the document. The employee handbook sets the terms and tone of your relationship with your employees.
2. Compliance – You have to ensure that your organization is compliant with State and Federal laws. Check current laws and stay up to date with both State and Federal requirements. Also ensure compliance with any industry-specific rules and regulations (e.g. camping or schools).
3. Align Expectations – A great way for you as the employer to expressly state your rights, clarify expectations, and facilitate better communication with employees. Having clearly stated policies in your employee handbook provides a safety net for both the organization and employees.
4. Provide Compensation and Benefits Information – Outline and explain benefits so employees have a clear understanding of their full employment package, beyond their pay.
5. Strengthen Culture – A well-written employee handbook is a great way to introduce new staff to your organizational culture. Some handbooks use language unique to the organization’s culture, while others include an organizational history or anecdotes to tell the story.

© 2019. This Leading Edge resource can be shared under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No-Derivatives International License 4.0.