An employee handbook is a great manual to give to new and current employees so that they understand the company’s mission, values, and norms. It will outline for the employees the company expectations in every aspect from the dress code to employee benefits to conduct policy. Creating a company employee handbook will have many benefits for your organization.
Here are five reasons your organization should have an employee handbook:
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Introduces your Employees to your culture, and values
The employee handbook will serve to introduce these employees to your company culture and will help them to determine where they fit in. This will aid in creating a sense of pride and belonging, which allows employees to become more productive in a shorter period of time. For the employee, this aspect of the handbook will answer questions such as
“How did the company get here?”
“How do we set ourselves apart from others?”
“What are the company interests?”
“How can the new hire become integrated into the company culture?”
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Informs employees of the company expectations
The handbook will provide a clear outline to the employees of their responsibilities. In addition, the handbook will also guide the employee as it relates to the companies policies and procedures. These include (but not limited to):
- The procedures for requesting time off or a holiday.
- Procedures for unscheduled absence (sickness), whom they should contact, and what the timing should be.
- The key people in the company to turn to if they have any questions or concerns.
- Expectations regarding employee behaviour
- Employee dress code (e.g. uniform or casual Fridays)
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Ensures key company policies are clearly and consistently communicated
The handbook should accurately inform your employees about your company’s policies regarding employment, conduct and behavior, compensation and other policies and procedures that they should follow. It will serve as a referenceable resource for managers when answering questions or making decisions by ensuring that they remain consistent with existing policies and procedures.
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Informs employees about their benefits
Does your company offer paid lunch breaks, health insurance, paid maternal leave or any other benefits to employees? The employee handbook will ensure that employees are aware of the benefits that are available and eligibility.
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Provides a defense against employee claims
For many employers, the challenge of a lawsuit from current or former employers is a real possibility. Once this challenge occurs, however, one of the most important documents that the employer can present to their attorney is a copy of the handbook. A well-written handbook will demonstrate that the company would have exercised “reasonable care” towards its handbook. The employee’s signed acknowledgement page of the handbook will show that the employee had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the organization’s policies, a chance to ask related questions, knew whom they could turn to for help within the organization, and agreed to follow the terms and conditions of employment set forth by the organization.
Do you have a company handbook? Have you reviewed it recently to ensure your policies are updated? Do you need help creating an employee handbook?
Caribbean HR Solutions is Caribbean’s premier HR Outsourcing company providing your HR needs. Email or Call us today for assistance with updating or creating your employee handbook or any other HR related service. Contact us at 1-876-971-7632 or sales@caribbeanhrsolutions.com.