Why Is It Important to Have an Employee Handbook?

As your organization attempts to maintain consistent and streamlined operations, you should ensure that all team members are on the same page. If employees work with different expectations, methods or goals in mind, it can lead to a dysfunctional and inefficient workplace, potentially creating risk for the employer. With this in mind, your company should understand the importance of a thorough and effective employee handbook.

What Is an Employee Handbook?

Employee handbooks can be crucial to your company’s efforts to maintain safety and efficiency while pursuing its goals. These resources should include any official policies, procedures and practices at your organization and be made readily available to all employees. New hires should be given a copy as soon as possible, and all workers should be required to provide formal confirmation that they have read and reviewed its contents.

Why Are Employee Handbooks Important?

All organizations should compose and maintain an employee handbook, regardless of size or industry. By carefully composing its contents and conducting regular reviews, your business may enjoy the following benefits:

• Efficient onboarding—By providing new hires with an employee handbook, they can learn about their new employer immediately. This allows them to fully understand your company’s culture, mission and values, and may help them feel a sense of inclusion in the workplace.
• Effective understanding of expectations—Employee handbooks can help your workers understand what is expected of them, including performance guidelines and acceptable workplace behavior. This may include rules and regulations pertaining to time tracking, disciplinary measures and dress code.
• Consistent communication—By formally establishing various policies and procedures, your organization’s handbook can ensure consistency across various parts of the employment process, such as performance reviews and incident responses.
• Easy introduction to benefits—These resources can help your employees understand the employee benefits programs and how to utilize their selections effectively.
• Ensured compliance—Your employee handbook may help workers understand various laws and industry standards, providing the information they need to identify and report noncompliance.
• Optimal workplace support—Employee handbooks can help workers understand who to contact if they have questions or issues.
• Potential legal protection—If your organization is sued by a worker alleging that expectations, benefits or other aspects of the workplace were not communicated to them, your employee handbook can provide proof that you made such information readily available.

We’re Here to Help

With a history of service dating back over 40 years, Lyceum Insurance Services is well-equipped to help your organization understand and address the need for an employee handbook. Our team of experienced professionals will draw on its collective knowledge to assess your circumstances, identify needs and provide guidance. Contact us today to get started.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.