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.
Workplace success often boils down to clear communication, and your employee handbook plays a major role in getting everyone on the same page. Fostering a harmonious and productive work environment requires more than just a competent team. It demands a clear understanding of your company culture, policies and procedures, and expectations.
In this article, we’ll unravel the complexities of creating an effective employee handbook, breaking the process down into simple steps. So, whether you’re refining an existing handbook or starting from scratch, our practical tips will help you create a successful handbook.
An employee handbook should do more than gather dust on a shelf. So, what does it take to create an effective employee handbook that strikes the balance between workplace policies and the nuances of your company culture?
In this article, we’ll walk you through seven guidelines to keep in mind as you craft or refine your employee handbook. We’ll even provide actionable tips and share best practices to inspire you along the way.
By the end of this read, you’ll be well equipped to create an employee handbook that protects your company while building a productive and inclusive work environment.
An employee handbook serves many purposes — it’s a tour guide, a rule referee, and a cultural compass all in one. When done correctly, an employee handbook is a living, breathing document that cultivates understanding, facilitates communication, and creates a shared sense of purpose among your diverse team.
But that’s just the beginning.
Let’s explore the benefits of employee handbooks and the ways they supercharge engagement, communicate policies and procedures, and set your organization up for success.
Are you creating your first handbook or overhauling an outdated handbook? No matter where you are on this journey, it’s important you understand the employee handbook basics.
When done effectively, an employee handbook is one of the most valuable items in your HR toolkit. It’s more than a mere list of dos and don’ts; it’s a comprehensive guide that can set your organization up for success.
We’ll explain why you need an employee handbook, how to structure your handbook, and ways to implement your handbook. Let’s get started!
This article will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to develop a multi-state employee handbook easily and confidently. We’ve done our research and handpicked the three best multi-state employee handbook software solutions.
Creating an employee handbook can be daunting for even the most experienced HR professional — and that’s when you’re contending with just one handbook. The job becomes even more complicated if you operate in multiple states and jurisdictions, each with its own set of laws and regulations.
Let’s explore the best multi-state employee handbook software and what each one offers.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know the main purpose of your employee handbook is to lay down the law — er, politely convey your company policies and procedures so everyone can work happily ever after. However, at Blissbook we believe your handbook can and should be so much more.
By approaching your handbook with company culture in mind, you can communicate much more than typical how-not-to-get-in-trouble content. In addition to demonstrating your company’s values and guidelines in your everyday actions, your employee handbook is a great place to showcase what matters to your company and why.
When creating your employee handbook, we know your top priority is to communicate your organization’s policies and procedures. Nobody’s trying to swindle you or lead you to believe otherwise. That said, some handbooks make employees feel like another number (read: a number that can be fired for many reasons). Other handbooks inspire employees to feel like part of a team that happens to have rules to enable everyone to work together successfully.
We prefer the latter.
Here are three ideas to make your employee handbook less of a snoozefest.
It’s common to think of an employee handbook as a guide of dos and don’ts — but it can be so much more.
Your employee handbook can be your most valuable tool in making a good first impression of your organization in its entirety. What better time to induce the feels than when new employees come on board?
Though it may sound complicated, it’s actually quite simple.
Tell them why — why you exist, and why they should care.
If your employees understand why you do what you do, they’re more likely to want to be part of it. And that means they’re also more inclined to adhere to your policies and procedures.
By using your employee handbook to highlight your organization’s mission and vision, you can make Day 1 more impactful than ever.
So you need to come up with rules for the workplace. Or maybe you’re updating your existing policies and you’re trying to make those final decisions about the perfect wording. Or maybe you’re trying to nail down your list of company values or virtues.
A background in ethics, morality, and the philosophies that aim to guide how we as humans should behave can give you a baseline to work from (in addition to, you know, what your laws say). It can also provide frameworks you can use to make decisions. Don’t know which way to go with the wording of a policy? Stress test it against this background and the right answer becomes evident.
But who has the time for a “background in ethics, morality, and the philosophies that aim to guide how we as humans should behave”? Not you! Well, you’re in luck. I recently read How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur and I’ve turned what I learned into a cheat sheet, just for you.
