You’ve built your business from an idea to a thriving operation. As you’ve grown, so has your staff. Lately, you’ve had a nagging feeling that it’s time to deal with a function that’s received little attention so far: human resources. If you have more than a couple employees, even if you have a family-owned business, it is important to put employee policies, benefits and related matters in writing. A great place to start is to publish an employee handbook that spells out policies, procedures and general company information. Here’s why you need an employee handbook: It gives you a platform to show employees what’s important for them to know about the company and their employment. It puts your entire team on the same page by communicating, in one document, what your business stands for, how you want it to operate, what’s expected of every employee, and the firm’s policies and benefits. It provides some legal protection from potential lawsuits by establishing a foundation for dealing with issues that may arise. The process of writing the handbook will, in itself, be enlightening to you as a leader. How to write the handbook What should a new employee know about working for your company? Let that question guide you in developing the handbook’s contents. Consider these elements: The business : A welcoming message. What the business does and how it is organized. Its mission and a description of the value the business brings to customers. Why the business values its employees and what it expects from them. The workplace : Work hours. After-hours access. Safety and security. Equipment. Supplies. Fire extinguisher locations. Evacuation routes. Policies and practices : Punctuality, breaks, overtime. Compensation and pay periods. Hiring. Holidays. Vacation. Sick time. Dress and appearance. Personal errands. Standards of conduct. Benefits. Promotions. The good news is, you don’t have to start writing from scratch. Advice, model employee manuals, and templates are plentiful on the Internet—from the Small Business Administration , the National Federation of Independent Businesses , and many other sources. Your industry association may be an excellent source, too. A few more tips: Write the handbook in a positive tone so that it helps you promote the business as a great place to work. Be succinct and keep the tone casual and conversational. Don’t let the handbook become a repository of minutia and draconian rules. Have your lawyer review the handbook before you publish it. Have each employee sign a document acknowledging receipt of the handbook. Include a statement that the employee is expected to read the document on the first day of employment. Keep the handbook up to date as your business evolves. Pick a slow month and make that the time every year when you will revise the handbook.
↧