What is Employee Handbook Drafting?
An employee handbook is a set of guidelines for employees joining an organization. It specifies rules regarding the company’s policies, and clarifies what’s expected of them. It covers a range of aspects of working in the company, from dress code to working hour requirements.
When drafting an employee handbook, make it accessible to employees to prevent misunderstandings and disputes.
Read the rest of this article to explore key terms to include in an employee handbook, how to draft it, and how to hire a qualified lawyer for employee handbook drafting.
What Core Components are in an Employee Handbook?
An employee handbook must be simple to understand yet comprehensive to cover all aspects of the employee’s work. Here’s a rundown of common key terms you’ll find in an employee handbook.
- Company mission statement. This states the purpose of the company and what it strives to achieve.
- Code of conduct. The employee must be aware of how they’re expected to behave at the organization. This section can include information regarding attendance, safety, dress code, and more.
- Work hours. For clarity, the employee handbook should state what working hours the employee is expected to complete. It can include overtime information.
- Duties. This section gives employees information about job roles in the company, not just theirs. While it’s impractical for large companies to specify all employee responsibilities, this can be more applicable to smaller organizations.
- Benefits. New employees will want to know what benefits they stand to gain in the company. The agreement should explain how and when the company will provide benefits, such as health insurance, wellness incentives, and retirement benefits.
- Compensation. An important policy is compensation, which doesn’t have to specify salary amounts employees earn. Rather, it can specify payment methods and frequency.
- Paid time off policy. Specify how much time off employees can use annually, such as in terms of sick days, paid time off, or vacation days.
- Acknowledgment. This is a form at the end of the employee handbook that the employee will sign to confirm that they acknowledge all its terms.
What are Tips for Drafting an Employee Handbook?
When drafting an employee handbook, there are some important tips to ensure it’s clear and professional.
Gather Information
Before you draft your employee handbook, you should collect all the information you’ll need, such as benefit details, organization policies, and labor laws.
Include Company Values
When writing about the company in your employee handbook, you should include the company’s values. This will ensure that employees who join the company will be aligned with its mission.
Provide a Comprehensive Code of Conduct
You should write detailed expectations that the company has of the employee, such as in terms of using their personal phones at work, dress codes, policies regarding alcohol and drugs, and more. This will ensure they know what they’re allowed to do and what’s prohibited.
Add Employment Information
Besides company compensation, the employee will want to know about payroll processes, such as when they can expect payment. Make it clear how employees can acquire benefits, such as the eligibility requirements that apply, so that there’s no confusion.
Use a Simple Format
Since an employee handbook will be handed to employees during the onboarding process, it must be clear and easy to understand. Write it in simple language. Format it with headings and use bullet points to make it easier for people to digest the information.
Make it Legal
Your employee handbook should comply with all relevant laws and regulations, such as anti-harassment laws. It’s worth consulting with a qualified lawyer who will ensure that your document is aligned with all federal, local, and state laws to avoid non-compliance.
How Does a Lawyer Help You with Employee Handbook Drafting?
While you don’t always need to hire a lawyer to draft your employee handbook, it can help you to ensure it’s easy for employees to understand and legally valid. A lawyer can assist you with the drafting process by:
- Complying with all applicable laws and regulations so all sections in the employee handbook are compliant.
- Drafting clear and specific workplace policies to prevent ambiguity and disputes.
- Customizing the employee handbook according to your company’s specific policies and operations.
- Advising employees on various aspects of working at the company, such as workplace safety requirements, so there’s no missing information.
- Updating the employee handbook to reflect employment law changes or changes to your company’s policies.
- Reviewing an employee handbook that you’ve drafted to ensure it’s clear and legal.
Where to Find a Lawyer for Employee Handbook Drafting
When you decide to hire a lawyer to draft your employee handbook, you might wonder where to find one who’s reputable and experienced in contract drafting. Online legal platforms such as ContractsCounsel make it easy to find a suitable lawyer.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that gives you access to a network of vetted lawyers. You’ll quickly connect with a lawyer who’s experienced in contract drafting so that your employee handbook is legal, specific, and professional.
To request that a lawyer on the ContractsCounsel platform drafts your employee handbook, follow these steps:
- Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace, where you can post your project for free. Include a few details about the project to match with the best lawyers, such as the type of organization and its industry.
- Receive lawyer bids on the platform. You’ll receive multiple bids from lawyers directly on the platform who can draft your contract for you.
- Once you receive the lawyer bids, review the lawyers’ profiles. There’s lots of lawyer data, such as the lawyers’ location, credentials, client ratings for previous projects, years of experience, and field of expertise.
- Connect with a lawyer and hire them to draft your employee handbook for a flat fee.
