Employee handbooks are a useful tool to set company policies, best practices, and standards whenever you onboard a new employee. When you create a comprehensive, legally compliant handbook, it acts as both a resource for your employees and a way to limit your liability if an employment claim arises. Use the following employee handbook examples for inspiration for your own.
Depending on your specific industry and location, as well as your company’s values and mission, the contents of your handbook may vary from other businesses. However, it’s still important for handbooks to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Looking for examples of employee handbooks online can give you a general idea of what you’ll need—but you’ll still need to ensure that your handbook is compliant and tailored to your business.
This overview will help you understand what goes into an employee handbook, along with some employee handbook examples for inspiration.
What is an employee handbook?
Think of your employee handbook as a guide to being an employee at your company. Good employee handbooks provide the information employees need to succeed at your company, all in one place. They typically include information about benefits, leave, attendance and conduct policies, dress codes, and other company guidelines.
When your employee handbook is state-specific and legally compliant, it can protect you against discrimination and related employment claims. Plus, the handbook will explain all policies and procedures to your workers, so you’ll both have a clear course of action if issues arise.
Why your company should make an employee handbook
Here are some reasons why your company needs to make an employee handbook:
- Acts as an introduction to the company: Onboarding new employees takes more than handing them an assignment and turning them loose. You also want to welcome them into your company and introduce your mission, company culture, and values. Employee handbooks often include a mission statement to illustrate these factors.
- Sets expectations: A good handbook also sets expectations for your employees. They typically cover policies and procedures like conduct expectations, how to request leave, pay periods, how overtime is handled, how to handle timekeeping, and other important, everyday issues.
- Sets management protocol: Employee handbooks educate workers about what they can expect from their managers and company leaders. For example, they may include procedures for how to handle disputes and grievances at work.
- Describes benefits: When your company offers insurance, paid vacation time, 401(k)s or other benefits, they should be in your employee handbook. It’s also wise to include what employees need to do to claim those benefits, including human resources contact information.
- Complies with applicable laws: Your company will be subject to federal, state, and occasionally even local employment laws. If you hire employees out of state, you’ll need to create a state-specific handbook for each new state.
- Protects the company: Employment lawsuits can be costly and time-consuming. When you have a detailed, legally compliant handbook, it can help defend the company against employee claims: it’s proof that your business met your legal obligations.
What are the contents of an employee handbook?
Employee handbooks should include, but are not limited to:
- Company policies and procedures
- Company culture, mission statement and values
- HR information
- Grievance policies
- Employee rights and legal policies
- Information about benefits
- Dress codes
Furthermore, if any state or locally-specific employment laws apply, your handbook should address these additional rights and obligations.
Best employee handbook examples
Employee handbooks aren’t just a tool to set expectations and reduce company liability. They can also be creative and artistic in their own right. Here are some examples of great employee handbooks:
- Trello: Trello created their employee manual with their own product. Trello is a project management tool that allows individuals and businesses to organize tasks. Not only does the handbook meet compliance obligations, but it demonstrates how the product can be used.
- Zappos: Zappos went the extra mile to make their employee handbook more interesting. The comic book style graphics and text are a novel way to present the standard information that companies need to disseminate.
- EF Education First: EF Education First’s employee handbook also went the creative route. Their handbook is designed to look like a children’s book—a great way to demonstrate company culture and values, along with a mission statement.
Create your own employee handbook with SixFifty
Creating an employee handbook can be overwhelming and expensive, especially if you hire out-of-state employees. SixFifty’s employee handbook creator ensures that your company is compliant with all federal, state, and local laws. It’s easier than ever to create and update handbooks as needed.
SixFifty’s employee handbook tool automatically generates customized, legally compliant handbooks at a fraction of the cost and time of working with a law firm. Simply answer questions about your company and download the generated document—we’ll even notify you when your handbooks need to be updated. It’s efficient and cost-effective.
Ready to generate your own employee handbook? Schedule a product demo today!
Looking for the employee handbook requirements for your state? View our interactive map for required employee handbook policies by state.
