Why Should We Have an Employee Handbook?

Although I’ve written quite a few posts about employee handbooks, I just realized that I never have explicitly stated why an employer should have one – thus, the topic of this post.

An employee handbook is a collection of policies, procedures and other important information that is provided to every employee. Reasons for having an employee handbook include:

• To let every employee know what is expected of him or her on the job
• To help ensure that employees are treated equally and appropriately
• To reduce employee morale problems and complaints related to unstated policies or procedures
• To reduce the risk that employees will allege unfair practices or unlawful discrimination
• To enhance the perceived authority and appropriateness of employer decisions that are based on the handbook

Of course, an employee handbook is not a free lunch for the employer. The employer must ensure that all actions it takes concerning employees are consistent with the handbook. Furthermore, the handbook must be updated as policies, procedures, applicable laws and the like change over time.

Nevertheless, in my opinion, despite those responsibilities, an employer is far better off with an employee handbook than without one.

Photo credit: iStockphoto

Dana H. Shultz, Attorney at Law +1 510 547-0545 dana [at] danashultz [dot] com
This blog does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please contact a lawyer directly.