The Value of an Employee Handbook
Appeared in Dr. Ruth’s monthly column, “Workforce & Leadership Development,” in the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida’s weekly e-newsletter, Independent Weekly, Vol 6 Iss 45, on November 17, 2023. www.ifdf.org
An employee handbook is a basic human resources tool that organizations use to convey information to their employees about the work culture, the organizations' expectations, and their investment in their employees. The handbook provides information on the organizations' legal obligations to their employees and how they protect employees' rights.
Providing an employee handbook can help businesses foster a safe and welcoming work environment and help prevent legal action in disagreements with staff. This handbook is an important human resources tool for all organizations, large and small.
The following are basic components of an employee handbook:
Expectations - clearly delineate appropriate behavior at work and dress code; policies on breaks, alcohol and drug use; conflict resolution, interpersonal conduct; work performance and disciplinary process;
Grievance/Arbitration Process - outline the process by which employees can file a complaint or express their concerns whenever workplace issues arise;
Benefits - provide information on how employees can participate in the organizations' benefits (for example, health and dental insurance, retirement plans, professional development, vacation, sick leave and personal days);
Values - communicate the organizations' core values, mission statement, and the role that employees play in furthering the organizations' mission;
Policies - include policies on anti-harrassment; anti-discrimination; anti-bullying; diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA); discipline procedures; social media and cyber security; compensation and bonuses; vacation and other types of leave; holiday schedule; and company privacy;
Organizational Chart - provide information on the organizations' leadership structure, responsibilities, and chain of command.
The employee handbook can be used with onboarding of new employees and with recruiting and retaining talented employees. For the handbook to be an effective and meaningful resource, it needs to be updated regularly and those updates provided to employees.
Bio
Dr. Ruth earned her Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale. She is the founder of Bedell Consulting, LLC. She is also the Associate Director for Outreach of the IFDF. If you have any topic suggestions for a future column, please forward those suggestions to Dr. Ruth. Thanks!