Employee handbooks, or carefully drafted policies and procedures, can be an effective shield for employers. However, if improperly drafted, they can be used by employees against the employer. This topic outlines a recommended process for drafting or revising an employee handbook, or policies and procedures manual. Before getting into the details, a few general considerations regarding the format and substance of a handbook are in order.
Decisions should be made early in the process as to the content, form and tone of the Policies and Procedures Manual. As detailed within this chapter, there are certain policies that are required (or virtually required) to be included in any manual, some that are recommended for inclusion, and some policies that need not be included. Finally, because policies in themselves are not effective without implementation, a plan for implementation is an important step in the creation of any manual.
Before an employer begins to draft or revise an effective manual, the employer should make some preliminary decisions about its scope and nature.