How to Create an Employee Handbook that is actually USEFUL!

Most employee handbooks serve as a resource for your company’s policies and procedures. They are often boring and difficult to comprehend because of many technical and legal terms. This is the reason why most employees don’t read over or really understand employee handbooks.

Generally speaking, an employer will want to communicate essential company policies and any state and/or local regulations that may require certain policies and information to be distributed to employees in writing. But, if you want to have an effective and useful employee handbook, then your employee handbook should include more than just company policies. It should go deeper and explain who you are, why you do what you do, and what makes your company special or different.

An Employee Handbook should include: Company’s history, mission, vision, and goals Core values and culture Important policies, rules, and practices Relevant state and federal regulations that impact employees Employee benefits and perks

If this is done right, it can be an amazing tool and resource for managers and employees. While employee handbooks are not legally required, when done correctly, they can be an essential tool (no matter how many restaurants or employees you have).

It can defend you against employee claims It can help ensure fairness and consistency among all employees It can communicate expectations It can save a lot of administration time and headaches