A company handbook is not merely a document slid to a new employee and forgotten about. It is a document that can be referred back to regularly to review company policies about a whole host of different issues. From PTO policies to legal concerns, there is a lot of information packed into the average employee handbook.
Businesses are wise to consider creating a customized employee handbook to specifically address the concerns that might arise within their specific organization.
In this post, we discuss what is so important about a customized employee handbook, how companies can craft them, and what to include in them.
Benefits of Customizing Employee Handbooks
Here are some of the core benefits companies get from customized handbooks.
Reduces Legal Risk
Right off the top, the reduction in legal risk for the company is a big reason why customized employee handbooks matter. Various compliance issues are spelled out in fine detail in the employee handbook, and that is extremely important and helpful to the company. The company can always refer to the handbook if there is ever an issue that needs to be addressed.
Routine updates to the handbook mean that the company can stay up-to-date with any changes in the law that might impact some aspect of the work that they do. Believe it or not, those types of changes occur more often than you might have suspected, and it is best to update the language within the handbook to reflect those changes.
Supports Company Culture
What is the mission of the company? What kind of values does it stand by? Those are the types of questions that can be answered in a customized handbook as well. Obviously, the company is seeking to make a profit on the products and/or services that it sells, but it goes beyond that as well. It also advocates for a certain set of values that can be defined within the context of a customized employee handbook.
There are certain company culture virtues that you will certainly want to include in the handbook, such as:
- Integrity - Every company should put in its best effort to approach each transaction with a sense of integrity about what it is doing. This is the only way that its business partners can trust that they are getting a fair shake out of the deal.
- Teamwork - The only way to get the most effort out of everyone who works for a company is when everyone is working together. Teamwork is necessary to maximize productivity, and it is something that should be addressed in the employee handbook.
- Equality - It is beyond challenging to work for a company when you aren’t certain that you will be treated fairly. Of course, the only way to know for sure that you will be able to do your best work is when all employees are treated equally. Once again, this is a virtue that can and should be included in the customized employee handbook.
Improves Employee Retention and Smooths Out the Onboarding Process
How could an employee handbook possibly improve the employee retention process? Well, it turns out that it is truly a vital piece of the puzzle for many companies. They want to hold on to as many employees as possible, and this little book is an instrument for doing so.
A well-designed employee handbook can improve employee retention in the following ways:
- Puts Everyone on an Equal Playing Field - Everyone understands that the employees are all treated fairly and equally to one another. Favoritism or any kind of other advantage going to any given employee is simply not permitted.
- Expectations are Clear - The employee handbook makes it clear what the expectations are for each employee and defines how those employees are meant to follow through with what has been set out for them. Keeping things as clear as possible like this means that everyone knows what they must do to meet the expectations of their employer.
- Jumpstarts the Onboarding Process - One of the first things that any new employee should receive is the employee handbook. Not only is there a lot of valuable information in there, but it is also helpful for setting the tone for everyone who might choose to work there. It starts everyone off on the right foot.
Employee retention is a major concern for all companies, and it is undoubtedly true that employers should care about this part of the process a lot. Simply getting the employee handbook set up correctly is a big step in the right direction.
Supports a Company’s Ability to Adapt in the Future
The customized handbook is one that can be updated and changed with the times. This means that new details can be added in a revised version to meet new challenges and address new issues as they come up.
Given the speed of change that our world is experiencing these days, it is nice to know that the company can update its policies to meet those changes.
It is critical to remember that if there is a revision to the handbook, employees need to be notified of that change. They will likely want to know right away how this change will impact them, so you should try to include that kind of information whenever possible as well. You might even consider holding a meeting about any specific changes that need to be addressed individually. Try not to change the handbook too often unless it is necessary to avoid causing confusion.
A Worthwhile Investment
There are many things that companies invest their time and resources into that don’t necessarily make the most sense from a financial perspective. That is not the case with the customized employee handbook. There is absolutely no doubt that this book is a worthwhile investment and that it can greatly contribute to the overall success and growth of the company.
Of all of the things that a company might put its resources into, a customized employee handbook is one that will virtually always pay off in spades. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to get everyone on the same page and understand what is expected of them.
How ABO Can Assist with Customized Handbooks
ABO, as an IRS-certified PEO, is uniquely positioned to offer expert guidance in developing customized employee handbooks. Leveraging their in-depth knowledge of employment laws, compliance requirements, and best HR practices, ABO ensures that your company’s handbook is not only comprehensive but also tailored to your organizational needs so that they address legal risks, promote company culture, and streamline the onboarding process.
By partnering with ABO, companies gain a trusted advisor dedicated to helping them foster alignment, clarity, and compliance, ultimately driving business success.
Reach out today to learn more!
