Creating a consistent and comprehensive employee handbook is crucial for any company, especially when operating across multiple countries. An international employee handbook is a document that outlines the policies, procedures, and expectations for employees across all locations where your company operates. Unlike a standard employee handbook, which focuses on a single country’s laws and practices, an international handbook is designed to address the diverse legal and cultural requirements of multiple regions.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about developing an international employee handbook. You’ll learn what it is, why it’s important, and how it can benefit your organization. By the end of this article, you’ll understand the steps involved in creating a handbook that not only meets legal requirements but also respects cultural differences and aligns with your company’s values.

An employee handbook is more than just a collection of policies—it’s a vital resource that helps shape your company’s culture and ensures everyone is on the same page. When structured properly, it can clarify company policies, outline key procedures, and ensure that everyone in the organization is on the same page. A well-crafted handbook can also help new employees integrate smoothly into your company culture and provide a reliable reference point for all staff.

We know that creating an effective employee handbook can be a daunting process so In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make it understandable and simple for you. You’ll discover how to structure the content to make it clear and accessible, what essential sections to include, and how to tailor it to fit the unique needs of your company. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to creating a handbook that serves both your employees and your organization well.

In any workplace, knowing the differences between an employee handbook and an employment contract is important. These documents play key roles in defining the relationship between employers and employees, but they serve different purposes and are used in different ways. This article aims to explain these differences clearly. We will look at what each document means, what it includes, and how it impacts both employers and employees. By understanding these distinctions, everyone involved can ensure they are better informed and can make the most out of their roles within the company.

Though you may think of employee handbooks as an HR thing, it’s best to solicit input from various departments, like your executive leadership team, IT, and legal counsel. Collaboration helps ensure your handbook content is accurate and properly reflects your company culture. 

So, how do you manage the collaboration and approval process without getting overwhelmed? 

Imagine receiving a heartfelt message from the company CEO on your first day at a new job. When properly executed, this message has the power to make a strong first impression.

Employee handbooks introduce new hires (and reintroduce existing employees!) to your company culture, policies, and expectations. By integrating a personal message from the CEO, you can make everyone feel more welcome.

A CEO greeting communicates your company culture while showcasing leadership’s dedication. In this article, we’ll guide you through creating an effective CEO welcome message.

Did you know that “dumpster” is a generic trademark, falling into the same category as words like Kleenex or Band-Aid? In 1937, the Dempster brothers of Knoxville, Tennessee, patented a system called the Dempster-Dumpster, which mechanically emptied standardized metal containers. Over time, these metal containers were simply referred to as dumpsters, and the Dempster brothers’ brainchild became a household name.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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).