{"id":2865,"date":"2023-06-05T09:16:45","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T13:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blissbook.com\/blog\/?p=2865"},"modified":"2023-08-02T16:26:43","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T20:26:43","slug":"policy-manual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blissbook.com\/blog\/policy-manual\/","title":{"rendered":"Employee Handbook vs. Policy Manual: Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cEmployee handbook\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cpolicy manual\u201d<\/strong> might sound like interchangeable terms, but they\u2019re two separate items, each with their own distinct purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By understanding the differences between an employee handbook and a policy manual, your company can ensure the right people have access to the appropriate level of information. Properly documented and communicated policies can also help you minimize liability risks in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll break down everything you need to know about employee handbooks and policy manuals, including their purpose, contents, and requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll also highlight the main differences between the two documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at how to distinguish between employee handbooks and policy manuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is an Employee Handbook?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An employee handbook<\/strong> is a company resource that provides employees with helpful information about working at your organization. It should be created in a way that\u2019s easy to understand. In other words, you should avoid, minimize, or hide <\/strong>legalese or overly formal language<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This increases the likelihood that your employees will actually read and generally understand your policies, which is a win-win situation for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, your employee handbook offers a high-level overview of your employee expectations as well as your company\u2019s commitments to its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a more detailed explanation, check out this article: What is an Employee Handbook?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Policy Manual?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A policy manual <\/strong>is a helpful resource for the people who oversee your policies, like your HR team, leadership, and managers. It\u2019s more comprehensive than an employee handbook because it\u2019s geared toward policy administration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy manuals provide the necessary details, including procedures to follow and forms to use<\/strong>. They might also explain the relevant employment laws that correspond with each policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since a policy manual isn\u2019t intended for widespread employee use, it can include in-depth guidance to help make complex situations easier on administrators \u2014 e.g. examples of what to say in certain scenarios or how to approach tough topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purpose: Employee Handbook vs. Policy Manual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although employee handbooks and policy manuals cover similar topics, each has its own unique purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your employee handbook has a well-defined target audience: your employees. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your employee handbook should empower employees to better understand and meet expectations, and provide answers to common employee questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your policy manual is intended for the people who will oversee your company\u2019s policies, such as your HR department, company leaders, and managers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A policy manual provides further guidance on actual policy administration, which explains policies and processes in more detail than the typical employee needs to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, employee handbooks are general and written for all employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy manuals are more exhaustive and help supervisory employees understand and execute your organization\u2019s policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contents: Employee Handbook vs. Policy Manual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Employee handbooks are sometimes perceived as documents outlining \u201chow not to get in trouble,\u201d but they can and should be so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Blissbook, for example, we believe employee handbooks should promote your company culture<\/strong><\/a>, especially when making a first impression (i.e., during new employee onboarding). You should highlight your company\u2019s mission, vision, and values so employees get to know \u201cyou, the organization\u201d<\/em> better.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your employee handbook should include<\/a> high-level policy overviews, basic benefits information, and how your company handles certain things.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you try to get too granular, you\u2019ll end up with a very long document and consequently, your employees won\u2019t read it. You can\u2019t provide every detail or possible scenario, so don\u2019t even try. Instead, give employees the general rundown and tell them who to contact or where to go for specifics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> Documents in Blissbook can use \u201cread more\u201d buttons<\/strong><\/a> to hide nitty-gritty content behind a button. On the surface, an employee handbook looks like a 5-10 page, approachable overview of your company\u2019s policies. However, employees who want more details can click the button or find \u201chidden\u201d details if they search the document. See it in action on this demo handbook<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Consider your policy manual more like a governing document \u2014 i.e., bylaws<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A policy manual is more formal and operational than an employee handbook. Your policy manual should include steps to follow in certain situations, relevant resources (like forms, checklists, and templates), and laws related to employee rights. It\u2019s a look behind the scenes at what makes the organization operate smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a helpful way of looking at it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your employee handbook should include information about your company\u2019s policy against harassment and what harassing behavior looks like in the workplace, as well as what to do if an employee witnesses violations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your policy manual, on the other hand, provides guidance for managers on how to field these employee concerns. For example, questions like how to formally document the employee\u2019s complaint, helpful things to say to the employee, as well as what to do next depending on the severity of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take performance evaluations as another example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your employee handbook tells employees about the evaluation process, its frequency, and what the evaluation means \u2014 e.g., performance improvement plans or promotion opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, your policy manual might contain evaluation forms, a conversation guide, and performance improvement plan templates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employee handbooks are approachable and provide employees with the right level of information to understand the basics without suffering from content overload or an impromptu nap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy manuals are more formal and provide administrators with all the ins and outs they need to ensure your company\u2019s policies are applied as intended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: Blissbook helps you organize this content in several ways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n