How to Create an Employee Manual

Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about policies and protect themselves legally. Whether or not you need an employee manual is your decision, though it can be a great tool for keeping your policies consistent.

Make sure you have your employee manual reviewed by a lawyer to make sure it is compliant with local and federal laws. Some employers also require employees to sign a document stating that they have read and understand the policies in the guide.

The following is a sample outline that you can use as a guideline for your manual:

1.Welcome & Introduction

2.Purpose of Handbook

3.Company Mission Statement

4.Company History

5.Employee Responsibilities & Code of Conduct

6.Discipline Procedures

7.Attendance and Punctuality

8.Time Cards

9.Work Hours, Breaks & Lunch Breaks

10.Overtime Policy

11.Payday

12.Payroll Deductions

13.Performance Reviews and Wage Increases

14.Promotions

15.Resignation and Termination

16.Telephone Usage

17.Benefits Overview

a.Medical

b.Dental

c.Vision

d.Employee Assistance Program

e.Vacation

f.Sick Time

g.Tuition Reimbursement

h.Life Insurance

i.Disability Benefits

j.Employee Discount

k.Employee Referral Bonus

l.Years of Service Awards

18.Leave of Absence

a.Sick

b.Family Leave

c.Funeral

d.Disability

e.Jury Duty

f.Military

g.Maternity

h.Unpaid Leave

19.Emergency Procedures

20.Summary and Acknowledgement

Keep your employee manual current by reviewing the contents and updating it often. You may want to provide each employee with a copy as part of your hiring process. You can protect your business as well as your employees by outlining clear policies and addressing questions early.

Stephanie Chandler is the author of "The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!" and the founder of http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of free resources for entrepreneurs. Sign up for the BusinessInfoGuide newsletter to receive hot resources and tips every month.

---

Over Disclosure Hurts Businesses

Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More

Looking for a Business to Run in the New Revitalized Downtown Area?

Looking for a place to add a Quick Lube away... Read More

Implementing an Internship Program

CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More

Why are Reverse Mergers Often the Victims of Short Sellers?

There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More

Small Business Newsletter Dilemma: Which Day Do I Send?

If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More

So What? How to Elicit Benefits from Features

"So what?" is a lovely question.It can lead to a... Read More

Accounting Methods ? Cash and Accrual

When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More

Leveraging Business Relationships for more Profits

When should you leverage the relationship?Leveraging sometimes brings a negative... Read More

Keeping Business Alive

Who is responsible for maintaining the business relationship?Nurturing a business... Read More

The Key To Success - Choose The Right Partners

Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More

Combating Over Regulation of Small Business

Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More

The Triple A Way to Spark Your Companys Profits

Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More

Carwash Manual Sample Outline

Car wash businesses are unique to other businesses. In fact... Read More

Build Credibility, Value, and Trust on a Shoestring

Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More

Top Ten Tips for Leveraging Conferences for Big SUCCESS!

As I am preparing for my attendance to the CoachVille's... Read More

The Advisory Board: A Business Owners Most Valuable Resource

As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More

How To Accept Credit Cards

If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More

How to Protect Yourself & Your Business

As a business owner, you already know how important it... Read More

Grab Your Consumers Attention in a Cluttered World of Marketing Communications

A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More

Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More

Professional Car Care Businesses You Can Start

If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More

Secrets to Washing Fleets of Trucks from a Nationwide Fleet Washing Service

Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More

Detailing Business Options

So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More

Are You a Small Business Lone Ranger? Take My 10-Question Quiz To Find Out!

So what exactly is a "Small Business Lone Ranger?" A... Read More

Gold Medal Delegation

When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to... Read More

Small Business CRM Is Here To Stay

If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More

Boat Detailers; Add-on Products and Services

As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More

Reclaim Equipment Detailing Industry and NPDES, EPA, Storm Water Rules

It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More

Financial Strategies for a Mobile Car Wash Business Plan

Writing a business plan for a mobile car wash is... Read More

Truck Wash Business Case Study

Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More

Covenants Not To Compete: Another Franchise Quandary

Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More

25 Valuable Phone Numbers For Small Businesses Success

Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More

Your Babys Ugly..and Youve Got Bad Breath

I've got good news and bad news. The good news... Read More