Smart Benefits: 8 Reasons to Have an Employee Handbook

Monday, February 16, 2015

Rob Calise, GoLocalProv Business/Health Expert

1) Introduces Employees to an Organization’s Culture, Mission, and Values

The employee handbook introduces new employees to your corporate culture and how they will fit in, helping to foster a sense of pride and belonging. The introduction section sets the standard for the employment relationship in general, and provides a guidepost for the remaining policies in the handbook.

2) Communicates What is Expected of Employees

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A handbook provides employees an understanding of their responsibilities, as well as an organization’s policies and procedures. By providing this clear, accessible information, handbooks ensure companies continue moving in the right direction.

3) Educates Employees About What They Can Expect From Management and Leadership

An employee handbook clarifies company objectives and leadership styles, as well as management best practices, to foster healthy management-employee relationships.

4) Helps Communicate Company Policies Clearly and Consistently

A handbook will accurately communicate your organization’s policies regarding employment, conduct and behavior, compensation, and other policies and procedures your organization follows.to eliminate confusion and inconsistencies.

5) Showcases the Benefits an Organization Offers

From vacations and 401k to health insurance and paid parental leave, the handbook communicates benefits and their eligibility requirements. Since a robust benefits package can help you retain your best employees, be sure to include these in the handbook.

6) Ensures Compliance with Federal and State Laws

A handbook is useful in demonstrating that your organization strives to be compliant with state and federal regulations, such as state disability leaves, federal FMLA leave, and other government mandates.

7) Helps Defend Against Employee Claims

If you face a lawsuit or similar challenge from an employee, one of the most useful documents you can provide your attorney or third party investigator is your handbook and the employee’s signed acknowledgement page that shows the he or she had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the organization’s policies and agreed to follow the terms and conditions of employment set forth by the organization.

8) Lets Employees Know Where to Turn for Help

Employees should feel comfortable turning to a trusted member of management for help when they want to report workplace violations, get workplace-related assistance, and ask any questions. A handbook not only outlines one or two management members an employee can turn to, but also designates another individual in the event the employee disagrees with the first decision

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Rob Calise is a founding partner of Cornerstone Group, where he helps clients control the costs of employee benefits by focusing on consumer driven strategies and on how to best utilize the tax savings tools the government provides. Rob serves as Chairman of the Board of United Benefit Advisors, and is a board member of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Broker Advisory Board, United HealthCare of New England Broker Advisory Board and Rhode Island Business Healthcare Advisors Council. He is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), American Health Insurance Association (AHIA) and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), as well as various human resource associations. Rob is a graduate of Bryant University with a BS in Finance.

Smart Benefits: 8 Reasons to Have an Employee Handbook

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Smart Benefits: 8 Reasons to Have an Employee Handbook

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