Whether or not this is your first rodeo, creating or overhauling an employee handbook is a big project. If you know the traps you might encounter along the way, you can devise a plan to avoid them. These five pieces of advice will help you steer clear of common pitfalls during your next handbook project.

Happy 100th Bugle! There’s just something special about the number 100. It’s the sum of the first nine prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 and 23). It’s the total number of United States Senators. It’s the amount of tiles in a game of Scrabble. It’s how many Bugles we’ve carefully crafted for your enjoyment…you’re welcome.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, look at these awesome HR, leadership and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.

✦ ✦ ✦

Article of the Week: Has social distancing driven you to a place of self-reflection? Rather than viewing your imperfections negatively, this Bugle’s Article ‒ er, Video ‒ of the Week might help you view them in a different light. Look for the ✦ below, you beautifully flawed specimen.

Although we saved this topic for last, it’s arguably one of the most important handbook decisions you’ll make. Before you’re buried in policies and procedures, be sure you’ve nailed down your handbook delivery method. Your chosen distribution channel will change the way you present content to your audience, so it’s important to know before you start writing.

Blissbook feels like the best way to present a handbook to employees … but why? Does it really reduce risk and help employees feel valued? If so, how does it work?

We use a variety of techniques rooted in behavioral psychology to reduce the risk of litigation, improve compliance, and encourage employee engagement.

Funny seeing you here. After wearing our thinking caps and racking the brains of HR professionals and employment attorneys, we created an expansive resource on how to write policies and procedures. And, if that wasn’t enough, it even comes with a companion workbook. Now we’re talking!

Anyway, enough about us. To keep your HR, leadership and policy management game strong, check out the articles we found over the past couple weeks.

✦ ✦ ✦

Article of the Week: Whoops, back to us. Normally we bury the Article of the Week and have you hunt for it by looking for the ✦. However, we’ll make it extra simple this time:

✦ ✦ ✦ How to Write Policies and Procedures ✦ ✦ ✦

We know commitments are hard, especially when it comes to rewriting company policies and procedures. Before you say “I do” to such a significant undertaking, take a look at our awesome, almost 30-page How to Write Policies and Procedures guide. Believe it or not, it used to be longer! Since we don’t want you getting cold feet, we took all that extra content out and turned it into a handy dandy workbook.

We hope you’re sitting down because we’ve got an announcement with you in mind. After diligently wearing our thinking caps and racking the brains of HR professionals and employment attorneys, we created an expansive resource on how to write policies and procedures for your company.

The thought of a handbook revamp is enough to make even the most experienced HR professional cringe. Our goal is to minimize the dread factor – and maybe even add a hint of enthusiasm – by breaking the process down one step at a time.

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.

✦ ✦ ✦

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).

Welcome to Friday! Did you know The “Truman Show” was released 22 years ago today? You know what they say: time flies when you’re getting older. If you need an escape, consider watching it this weekend.

Before you call it quits for the day, take some time to read the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.

✦ ✦ ✦

Article of the Week: You’re not alone if you find yourself feeling heartbroken and/or powerless. The Article of the Week includes some suggestions if you find yourself wondering what you can do to combat racism (look for the ✦ below).

The weekend is here! Ready for take-off? On this day in 1906, the Wright brothers received U.S. Patent No. 821,393 for their invention, “Flying Machine.” You can use your Internet Machine to learn more about it.

To help pass the rest of the day, take a look at some of the best HR, leadership, and policy management articles we found over the past couple weeks.

✦ ✦ ✦

Article of the Week: Still sheltering in place? Check out the Article of the Week for some HR projects to tackle while time is on your side (look for the ✦ below). If #1 catches your eye, we’re here for you.