Why do I need an Employee Handbook?

April 19th, 2009 | Author: Chuck Silva

There are many good reasons to have an employee handbook.

It is a lot of work to put one together, right? Not as much as you think and having one can be a life saver for your business. Having a written policy can be the determining factor in an employment dispute from an unemployment claim to a lawsuit.

The number one reason for employee termination is absenteeism. In order to protect your company from unemployment claims, your attendance policy must be specific and in writing.

Here is a list of some issues you may wish to include in an employee handbook. The list is not complete, but is intended to provide a starting point.

Acknowledgment of Receipt of Employee Handbook
Appearance, Dress, and Hygiene Policy
Attendance Policy
Company-issued Credit Cards
Confidentiality of Information
Conflict of Interest
Driver Policy
Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Employee Agreement and Consent to Drug and/or Alcohol Testing
Equal Opportunity Statement
Harassment Policy
Hours of Work
Holiday Policy
Internet, E-Mail, and Computer Usage Policy
Jury Duty Policy
Medical Information Confidentiality Policy
Military Leave Policy
Paycheck Distribution Policy
Personnel Files Policy
Safety Policy
Searches
Smoking Policy
Vacation and Sick Leave Policy
Video Surveillance
Wage Overpayment/Underpayment Policy
Work Rules

Begin with the agency that handles unemployment claims in your state. In Texas, that agency is the Texas Workforce Commission and the TWC has excellent reference materials on its website for employers including sample policies on everything from attendance to wages.

Another good reference is an industry association. For example, the Texas Restaurant Association has an employee handbook that can be tailored to fit the needs of any restaurant available to its members for a nominal fee.

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