Employee handbook
An employee handbook is a document that describes the expectations in relation to an employment relationship. It contains, among other things, the legal obligations as an employer, but also the rights of employees.
Not only the rights and obligations, but also company guidelines, insights into the corporate culture and customs in the workplace should be recorded in this document.
The employee handbook is an important HR tool and is handed out to all new team members as part of the onboarding process, for example.
The advantages of an employee handbook
We think that an employee handbook makes sense. It is possible to make the handbook available to all your employees both in print and online.
You also have a document that you can refer to at any time and that applies equally to everyone.
Furthermore, the content of this document is flexible and can be adapted at any time. You can also involve your team members in this process: This strengthens the corporate culture and creates a certain responsibility for everyone.
The content
The following is a brief summary of the content you can publish in an employee handbook.
1. general
Basic information on employment contracts, recruitment processes and attendance rules can be recorded here. It also contains guidelines and procedures on equal opportunities.
2. safety in the workplace
Health in the workplace plays a major role. These issues can be clarified here. Issues relating to confidentiality, data protection and violence or harassment in the workplace also have their place here.
3. code of conduct
Sensitive issues, such as the question of relationships between colleagues or if there is a dress code, can be addressed in this area. Another question that can be clarified here is: Are employees allowed to use their own smartphones?
Rules for visitors or dealing with potential conflicts of interest should also be addressed under this point in the employee handbook.
4th vacation
It is also possible to record how much annual leave the team members have. Information on what happens in the event of unpaid leave is also interesting. There is also the option of taking maternity leave, paternity leave and sabbaticals: Everything should also be clarified here for these cases.
5. payment
You can record when your employees receive their salary not only in their employment contract, but also in the employee handbook.
You can also mention employee development here. Under this point, write how often a performance appraisal takes place and how career development is going.
6. benefits
Team members often don’t even know what benefits are available. You can change this and communicate it at this point. Are there discounts, club memberships or breakfast? All of this is discussed here. It also makes sense to mention social benefits, home office and benefits such as company cars, parking spaces or even company cell phones.
7. termination
This point is also important for the employee handbook. What happens when an employee leaves should also be recorded in the document. This is the right place for disciplinary procedures and guidelines, for example. Information on notice periods can also be found here, as well as the provision of references.
