What is an Employee Handbook?

An employee handbook is a document that outlines the company’s rules of conduct and policies. There is no legal requirement to have a handbook, but there are laws that mandate employers to provide certain information to employees in writing. An employee handbook is recommended in scenarios where a conflict arises or in the event of a miscommunication, the handbook clearly lays out the proper solutions. Having a handbook may also offer an employer protection in a lawsuit by proving that the employees were notified of the rules and regulations, therefore relinquishing the employer of any liability.

Some important functions of an Employee Handbook:

• Delineate workplace expectations along with consequences when certain policies and procedures aren’t complied with.
• Being compliant with employment laws.
• Mitigating risk of legal battles and claims by outlining resolutions to common workspace disputes and how to handle them.
• Outline company safety protocols in the event of emergencies or work related injury.
• Defining work hours and breaks to avoid improper calculation of wages and compensation.
• Delegate certain personnel to deal with issues that cannot be resolved using the Employee Handbook
• Answering FAQs from your employees regarding items such as PTO, compensation, and benefits

Why a company should have an employee handbook?

An employee handbook isn’t just for the benefit of the employer, it can also give potential employees a great first impression of the company by demonstrating company culture and the benefits of working there. No matter how large or small a company is, it is always beneficial to create one, as it removes liability from the employer’s end while also giving employees a solid understanding of what is expected of them from Day 1.

Employee Handbooks are valuable to any business. However, in order to be effective they must be drafted correctly and regularly updated. When selecting an attorney to assist in drafting an employee handbook, choose one who is experienced in complex business and one who understands the nature of your business needs. Here at the Campbell Law Group, we have experience in drafting Employee Handbooks that comply with all relevant laws and help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations.

Our firm accepts cases from all over Florida while serving South Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach specifically. Getting your own Employee Handbook may not be as tedious and costly as you may think. For more information regarding how our firm can help you, please contact us.