Employee Handbook and Policies
Employee Policies
A prudent employer will prepare and distribute an employee handbook. A handbook provides clarity to employees regarding your policies and expectations. The absence of a formal handbook or policy manual or a poorly drafted one puts you at a disadvantage to defend yourself should you face a lawsuit.
Numerous federal, state, and even local laws affect the content of policies and procedures to be included in such handbooks. These laws are discussed throughout HR Library.
Employers should:
- Define who is covered by the handbook
- Review existing policies and practices
- Include relevant topics
- Draft consistent, understandable and legally permissible employment policies
- Review the handbook with management prior to implementation to obtain feedback
- Submit the draft handbook to experienced labor law counsel for review
Employee Handbook Creator
An employee handbook is one of the best ways to avoid misunderstandings and ensure fair, consistent treatment of employees. Creating a handbook that complies with California and federal laws helps protect your business from lawsuits. Use CalChamber’s Employee Handbook Creator tool to clearly communicate company policies and set expectations in an employee handbook you create online.