A Closer Look...

Employee handbooks

Employee handbooks are generally the most common and formal method of communicating information about your organization. Employers should be aware however that a handbook can constitute an employment contract that limits an employer's ability to change terms of employment or terminate an employee. Policies included in a handbook that are not consistently followed can create a host of liabilities, and courts throughout the country have repeatedly ruled that improperly drafted handbook statements can create exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine.

Do's and Don'ts

There are many "Do's and Don'ts" that are important to an effective employee handbook. Important to communicating necessary information to employees and limiting company exposure to liability. An employee handbook can be an effective way to:

1. Properly orient new employees;
2. Help maintain consistency among supervisors;
3. Minimize potential misunderstandings over workplace policies;
4. Support disciplinary action and avoid charges of unlawful discrimination; and
5. Potentially reduce the need for employees to seek out union representation.

Our specific services

We can:

• Audit your employee handbook for relevance, consistency, and potential liability exposure
• Identify information or policies that should be included in an employee handbook
• Design and produce an employee handbook in the absence of one