7 Basic Employee Handbook Templates for Your Company
Whether you’re an HR manager trying to breathe new life into your company’s policies or a business owner creating your first handbook, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll talk about what an employee handbook is, the benefits of handbook templates, and factors to consider when choosing a template.
We’ve compiled a list of basic employee handbook templates to help inspire your handbook creation process. Most of the templates we’ll feature are suitable for companies with fewer than 50 employees — people looking to create simple handbooks housed in Notion, ClickUp, another wiki tool, or in a Word doc or PDF. However, we’ll discuss some more advanced options, too.
We’ll also go over template customization and implementation, followed by best practices for handbook maintenance.
What is an Employee Handbook?
An employee handbook provides important information about company policies, procedures, and expectations. It helps employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and benefits. The best handbooks also delve into the company’s mission, values, and culture, fostering a sense of belonging.
Handbooks primarily serve to outline company policies and procedures, such as attendance, code of conduct, and paid time off (PTO) policies. Additionally, they often cover employee benefits, including healthcare, retirement plans, and other perks.
Together, these sections create a comprehensive resource that informs and guides employees throughout their time at your organization.
Why Should You Use an Employee Handbook Template?
Creating an employee handbook from scratch can be daunting. Instead of staring at a blank page or screen, you can start with an employee handbook template. These pre-formatted documents can be customized to fit your company’s needs.
By using a template, you can:
- Create a uniform look and feel throughout your handbook, making it easier for employees to navigate and understand key messages
- Make the handbook look professional
- Easily update and revise the handbook, saving time and effort
- Ensure you cover all the key points
How to Choose an Employee Handbook Template
When selecting an employee handbook template, you should ensure it aligns with your company’s needs and overall culture.
Here are a few questions to consider when selecting a handbook template.
1. Is it customizable? Your employee handbook should reflect your company’s culture and overall feel. By presenting your policies and procedures in a way that aligns with your unique brand, you’ll create a more polished, consistent image.
2. Is it comprehensive? You’ll want to find a template that enables you to convey all the necessary information. For example, if you want to provide images and video, you’ll want to keep these things in mind when selecting a template.
3. Is it easy to update? The template should be easy to use and modify, even for individuals without a strong design or technical background. It should be in a format that’s easy to edit so you can make updates as needed. We’ve detailed some format options in our article, How to Create an Employee Handbook.
4. Is it employee friendly? An employee handbook must be easily understood and accessible. Look for a template with a clear, concise, and organized layout that employees can navigate with ease. Additionally, the language used should be simple and direct.
5. Is it compliant? The handbook also serves as a document that aids in legal compliance. Ensure the template includes sections that address topics such as equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment, leave policies (including FMLA), and other federal or state-specific labor laws.
These factors will help you determine which employee handbook template can be molded into a document that matches your company’s needs.
Sample Employee Handbook Templates
We’ve compiled some basic employee handbook templates to help you craft a handbook that communicates your company’s culture, policies and procedures, and expectations. Keep in mind most of these templates are designed with smaller companies (fewer than 50 employees) in mind.
If you’re looking to create something more complex (personalized content across multiple states, multiple languages), more modern (e-signatures with automated reminders), or interactive/branded, Blissbook is your best option. Which brings us to…
Handbook Template #1 – Blissbook
Number of Employees: Appropriate for any size organization
When you register for Blissbook, you’ll have access to our one-of-a kind Inspirational Employee Handbook template. From there, you can easily customize the handbook based on your organization’s needs. Alternatively, if you want to have minimal involvement in the process, Blissbook’s content and design team can help manage the process from start to finish.
Pros
- Get a head start on building a culture-first employee handbook
- Tailor your handbook with our intuitive user interface
- Easily integrate various content types, like welcome letters, timelines, video, and more
- Access to top-notch copywriters and designers
Handbook Template #2 – Zenefits Employee Handbook Builder by Workest
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies with up to 50 employees
Zenefits Employee Handbook Builder, offered by Workest, is a streamlined and user-friendly tool that allows businesses to develop a comprehensive yet customized employee handbook. It’s designed to take the hassle out of handbook creation, facilitating a more seamless and efficient process.
Pros
- Extensive customization options
- Intuitive design and interface
- Helps promote legal compliance
Handbook Template #3 – Betterteam
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies with up to 50 employees
Betterteam offers an efficient, straightforward solution for businesses seeking an easy-to-customize employee handbook template. Known for its simplicity and effectiveness, Betterteam’s offering makes it easy to create an employee handbook without unnecessary complications or confusing features.
Pros
- Offers a free downloadable template
- Provides a simple, no-frills option
- Easy to customize to meet your company’s needs
Handbook Template #4 – The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies of all sizes
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers free and customizable employee handbook templates for businesses. Known for its commitment to providing valuable HR resources, SHRM’s templates help organizations create robust employee handbooks that align with best practices in HR management.
Pros
- Free and accessible for SHRM members, though there’s also a paid option
- Readily adaptable to your specific needs
- Informed by HR experts
Handbook Template #5 – Visme
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies with up to 50 employees
Visme’s employee handbook templates provide versatile, design-friendly solutions that help businesses communicate their company’s culture, policies, and procedures. Inspired by real-life handbooks published by top brands, these templates give businesses a professional, visually appealing starting point for creating their own customized employee handbooks.
Pros
- Provides professional and engaging designs
- Easy to customize and brand
- Can be downloaded and shared
Handbook Template #6 – Adobe Express
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies with up to 50 employees
Adobe Express offers remixable, editable templates that enable businesses to create high-quality, professional-looking employee handbooks quickly and effortlessly. Designed with user-friendliness and aesthetic appeal in mind, these templates serve as an excellent starting point for any company looking to create an impressive handbook.
Pros
- Easy-to-use templates
- Can be customized throughout
- Offers a variety of high-quality designs
Handbook Template #7 – ClickUp
Number of Employees: Appropriate for companies with up to 50 employees
ClickUp, a renowned project management tool, offers dynamic employee handbook templates. Designed to integrate seamlessly with ClickUp’s project management capabilities, these templates enable businesses to create, share, and manage their employee handbook within a single platform.
Pros
- Includes project management features
- Provides collaborative editing options
- Information is organized and traceable
How to Customize and Implement Your Template
Successfully customizing and implementing your chosen handbook template requires careful planning and execution.
Here are some tips and advice to help you adapt the template to your company’s needs.
- Know What Your Company Needs: Before you begin, ensure you have a clear understanding of your company’s culture, values, mission, and goals. This knowledge will guide your customization and help you create a handbook that reflects what your organization’s all about.
- Define Your Scope: Decide what your handbook will cover. Will it be a broad overview of company policies and procedures, or will it delve into specific topics like benefits, compensation, and leave policies? Defining your scope will help you focus your customization efforts.
- Incorporate Your Company’s Voice: Customize the template’s language to reflect your company’s voice. If your organization is more casual, showcase that in your handbook. If it’s more formal, maintain that tone. Just make sure you use clear and simple language to ensure all employees understand your handbook.
- Personalize the Content: Add personal touches to make the handbook feel unique to your company. Examples include a letter from the CEO, anecdotes about the company’s history, and photos from team events.
- Make Sure it’s Accessible: Whether it’s a printed copy, a digital version, or both, ensure your handbook is distributable and accessible. This could be as simple as sharing it via email or uploading it to the company intranet — or using digital handbook software like Blissbook.
By following these steps, you can customize your chosen template and create a unique employee handbook that reflects your company’s culture and values.
Keep Your Employee Handbook Current
Remember that, even after you’ve customized a template to meet your needs, your handbook will require routine updates. Employee handbooks aren’t one-and-done projects; they’re documents that should grow and change with your company.
As your company evolves — whether through organizational growth, implementation of new technologies, or strategic shifts — your policies and procedures will, too. Employment lawyers and HR practitioners advise companies to update their employee handbooks at least annually.
Keep your handbook up to date to ensure it remains a reliable resource for company policies and procedures. Plus, employment regulations change as new laws are adopted, and your handbook should remain current to mitigate legal issues.
You should notify your employees when changes are made. By doing so, you reinforce the importance of the handbook and promote transparency within your organization.
Create an Impactful Employee Handbook with Blissbook
An employee handbook is a vital resource for both employees and the organization. It communicates the company’s policies and procedures and reflects its values and mission.
The most effective handbook aligns with your company’s unique needs and characteristics. We encourage you to select a template that best fits your organization’s requirements and start creating your employee handbook.
If you’re looking for a product with all the bells and whistles, your best bet is Blissbook’s employee handbook software.
Ready to get started on your employee handbook?
Set up a trial with Blissbook to craft a handbook that communicates critical information and embodies your company’s unique culture.
