Most businesses will have employee handbooks. An employee handbook provides employees with a reference tool when they have questions about their employment. Additionally, a handbook can also help outline the procedures you will follow if an employment dispute arises. Accordingly, an employee handbook can provide transparency for employees who are aware of the procedures involved in resolving workplace disputes. This article will explain what you need to know about an employee handbook and what policies your handbook should contain<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An employee handbook is where you keep your workplace policies and procedures for your staff\u2019s reference. An employee handbook (also known as a company handbook, a staff manual, employee manual, a company policy manual or a staff handbook) differs from your employment contract<\/a> with your staff. Employment contracts establish your employees\u2019 rights and duties and your responsibilities towards them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In saying that, your employee handbook can form part of the employment contract with your staff. If it does, the contract must explicitly state that your employee must follow the handbook. Alternatively, if you fail to carry out your policies and procedures correctly, you could be liable for breach of contract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Where your employee handbook is not part of the employment contract with your employees, it allows you to quickly amend and update your policies and procedures as you are not required to get your employees’ consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not have to have an employee handbook by law. However, you are required to have specific employment policies and procedures written down for your staff. These policies and procedures must comply with the Acas Code of Practice<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also a legal requirement to ensure that all staff know your employment policies<\/a>. Therefore, it is good practice and makes sense to place these policies and procedures in one easily accessible place. Ultimately, if your staff ask you a question about a policy or practice, you can refer them to your employee handbook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n You should inform your staff of your employee handbook on their first day of employment with you. When you make your staff aware of your employee handbook, it is a good idea to have written confirmation of this interaction. Consequently, you have proof that your employees are aware of specific policies and procedures should they later violate these policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also good practice to reinforce your employee handbook to your staff through training sessions that show your commitment to your procedures and policies. When doing so, you should take on employee feedback to help you amend policies as necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\nWhy Have Employee Handbooks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n