How to Create an Employee Manual

Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about policies and protect themselves legally. Whether or not you need an employee manual is your decision, though it can be a great tool for keeping your policies consistent.Make sure you have your employee manual reviewed by a lawyer to make sure it is compliant with local and federal laws. Some employers also require employees to sign a document stating that they have read and understand the policies in the guide.The following is a sample outline that you can use as a guideline for your manual:1.Welcome & Introduction2.Purpose of Handbook3.Company Mission Statement4.Company History5.Employee Responsibilities & Code of Conduct6.Discipline Procedures7.Attendance and Punctuality8.Time Cards9.Work Hours, Breaks & Lunch Breaks10.Overtime Policy11.Payday12.Payroll Deductions13.Performance Reviews and Wage Increases14.Promotions15.Resignation and Termination16.Telephone Usage17.Benefits Overviewa.Medicalb.Dentalc.Visiond.Employee Assistance Programe.Vacationf.Sick Timeg.Tuition Reimbursementh.Life Insurancei.Disability Benefitsj.Employee Discountk.Employee Referral Bonusl.Years of Service Awards18.Leave of Absencea.Sickb.Family Leavec.Funerald.Disabilitye.Jury Dutyf.Militaryg.Maternityh.Unpaid Leave19.Emergency Procedures20.Summary and AcknowledgementKeep your employee manual current by reviewing the contents and updating it often. You may want to provide each employee with a copy as part of your hiring process. You can protect your business as well as your employees by outlining clear policies and addressing questions early.Stephanie Chandler is the author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!” and the founder of http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of free resources for entrepreneurs. Sign up for the BusinessInfoGuide newsletter to receive hot resources and tips every month.