Employee Policies: A Handbook Full

Employee policies can encompass anything from vacation policies to information on benefits to hot button topics such as sexual harassment and discrimination policies. Employee handbooks are a great way to provide employees with information they need on employee policies.

The employee handbook often includes policies that inform employees of expectations for job performance, attendance, timekeeping, and workplace conduct, use of company equipment, use of the Internet and e-mail, and what the consequences will be for violating these policies.

When selecting topics for the employee handbook, there are certain factors to keep in mind. These include the ease with which a policy can be explained and understood, the frequency with which the employee policy might change, the number of employees affected by the policy, and the importance of each policy.

The employer should also include a provision reserving its right to change or discontinue employee policies and benefits. The disclaimer should be prominently displayed in the employee handbook, and each employee should sign a receipt acknowledging that they've received a copy of the employee policies. Even with a disclaimer, it's important for an employer to follow the employee policies in its handbook consistently.

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The HR Library has more helpful employee policy resources like these:

Basic Legal and Policy Issues

Sample Employee Policies

Part-time Employee Policy