Creating an employee handbook and a code of conduct might seem challenging, but it’s crucial for setting the stage in any workplace. In this article, we’ll clarify the distinctions between these two essential documents, helping you understand their individual roles and importance. An employee handbook is your foundational tool for outlining company policies, setting clear expectations, and defining workplace culture. It’s vital for ensuring that everyone is informed and on the same page from day one.
Similarly, a code of conduct is key to establishing the ethical framework and behavioral expectations within your company. It helps maintain integrity and professionalism, outlining what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Why focus on distinguishing these documents? While both are important, they serve different purposes and are used under different circumstances. Understanding these differences is not only beneficial for compliance but also for improving the effectiveness of your internal communications and governance. So, if you’re aiming to understand these concepts without getting lost in the complexity, stay tuned as we break down the specifics of each document, ensuring you can implement them effectively in your business.
Chances are you’re on the hunt to make your employee handbook a genuine guide that protects your team and your business, not just a snooze-fest of dos and don’ts. This ideal handbook goes beyond rigid rules; it’s a dynamic guide that reflects your company’s mission and values and supports your employees.
Why does it matter? Aside from shielding your company against legal disputes, a well-constructed handbook indicates that your company isn’t just going through the motions of legal compliance. It tells your team that their rights matter, they’re working in a company with purpose that respects and honors those rights, and it ensures everyone’s on the same page about what’s cool and what’s not at work.
Stick with us as we walk you through the required laws for your handbook, ensuring you’re ticking all the legal boxes while also keeping things approachable and relatable for your team of non-lawyer humans. Your handbook shouldn’t just be legally compliant; it should be a user-friendly resource that everyone in your company understands and values.
Your employee handbook serves as a guide for both new and existing employees, helping them navigate the company with ease. Creating an employee handbook may seem overwhelming at first, but we promise it’s worth the investment.
To make your life easier, we’ve outlined the policies you should include in your employee handbook.
As an employer, one of your handbook’s most important policies is the one that prohibits harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Employees rely on you to create a work environment where everyone feels safe and respected. Failure to do so will lead to a long list of imminent difficulties. So, are you ready to make your employees feel valued or what?
Employees expect to see a policy against harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in your company handbook. In fact, aside from policies about taking time off work, your anti-harassment policy is likely one of the most frequently reviewed. It deserves your time and attention, just like your employees deserve to work in an environment where they can thrive.
And, as with all handbook policies, be sure to explain why the policy has been developed. It’s much more than a means to prevent legal woes — it speaks to your company and its culture, too.
It’s Juneteenth, aka Freedom Day. On June 19, 1865, almost two-and-a-half years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Texas were officially declared free. Learn more about the importance of Juneteenth.
To stay as savvy as possible, take a look at some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: Sticking with the day’s theme, consider ways you can incorporate Juneteenth into your company culture. Though your workplace might look different this year, the Article of the Week can help you get a head start on Juneteenth 2021 (look for the ✦ below).
Happy No Socks Day! Feeling restrained? Toes looking for fresh air? You’re in luck, folks, because it’s No Socks Day. Put on your favorite tunes and do some barefoot dancing, or maybe even feel the grass between your toes. At a time when the days blend into each other, we’ve got to put our best foot forward.
Check out some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: It can be difficult to keep up, but it’s also challenging to slow down. The Article of the Week reminds us what the virus-imposed speed limit can teach us — and it could be eye-opening (look for the ✦ below).
Are you ready to become one with the weekend? We are! Which reminds us (*terrible segue*)… We’re back with more original content. Our latest pop-psych article focuses on unity and its benefits in the workplace. And, in case you didn’t click now, you’ll get another chance very soon.
Before you make up a lame excuse to leave work to watch playoff baseball, spend a few minutes reading some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: No matter how busy we are, most of us make time for self-criticism. Why not spend that energy celebrating small victories instead? The BIG successes are made possible by the mini-wins along the way (look for the ✦ below).
Take a slice out of life! Apparently it’s National Pepperoni Pizza Day. With that, here’s a Dad Joke for you: What did the boss say to his pizza during their meeting? There’s mushroom for improvement.
After you finish laughing uncontrollably, take a few minutes to enjoy some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: Who knew being happy could be so hard? Most of us are on a constant quest for happiness, and compassion just might be the guiding force that gets us there (look for the ✦ below).
Friday Fun Fact: Did you know that, 24 years ago today, Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking a 56-year-old record? Yes, that means you’re 24 years older than you were then.
Like Cal’s 431 home runs, we hope we knock it out of the park with some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: Remember how we included original content in a previous Bugle and said we were too humble to make it the Article of the Week? This time we’re not. The featured article reminds us that sometimes we’ve got to give before we get (look for the ✦ below).
Whoa, August! Leaving so soon? It seems summer just started, yet suddenly we’re talking back-to-school, fantasy football drafts, and (hopefully) cooler weather
Finish your August with some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.
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Article of the Week: Are you going to try to knock out that house project this weekend? Or will you knock it out? This week’s featured article shows us how simple word changes can impact our lives (look for the ✦ below).
