An employee handbook is a crucial part of running a business. It sets clear expectations for new employees. It outlines policies and it lets employees know what will happen if any problems occur.
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Garden Centre Retail has put together a list of essential components for your company handbook.
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Introduction to company & values
You should describe the company history, including who founded the business, when and why.
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Additionally, you should include your company mission statement. You should also add some insight into your company culture.
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Give your new employee info about why your company matters, and why they should it’s exciting to be part of it.
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Code of conduct
You should give your employees an overview of information about ethics and compliance.
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A code of conduct allows you to emphasise your company’s values, and the behaviour you wish to adopt in your leaders and employees.
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These rules can allow you to fairly regulate and assess an individual’s behaviour.
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You should include as many specific details as possible. For instance, let employees know what counts as lateness, and the disciplinary processes that follow.
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Equal employment and non-discrimination policy
You want each employee to know that discrimination or harassment of any kind won’t be tolerated in your workplace.
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Even one instance of discrimination can create toxicity for your company’s culture.
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Technology policy
You’ll need to make clear what your employees can and can’t do with the technology you provide them.
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Additionally, you’ll want to inform your employees whether actions on company technology cause disciplinary measures.
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Leave policy
It’s critical you outline how much paid and unpaid leave each employee gets, as well as sick time.
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Non-disclosure Agreement and Confidentiality policy To ensure your employees don’t misuse confidential information either about your internal operations or your clients, it’s critical you outline what counts as confidential information.
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Your business is bound by law to protect certain information. You should make a list and ensure your employees are aware of what information they can and can’t share.
