How to write an employee handbook that staff will actually use

What is the thing that the smallest startups and the biggest companies need?

An employee handbook. If you think having one isn't necessary for your small business that only has a handful of employees, think again. Regardless of the size of your organization, the impact of a well-written manual should not be overlooked.

What is an employee handbook?

Sometimes called an employee handbook, an employee handbook includes various documents that employees should receive, usually on or before day one. The information in these documents covers everything an employee needs to know about working at the company, from the first day to the last.

Distributing a handbook can make new hires feel better equipped to handle their day-to-day work while increasing their onboarding efficiency. In addition to having critical details for new hires, a handbook may include longer documents that provide a reference for company policies throughout an employee's tenure in an organization.

It is common for HR professionals to turn to HR compliance software because it manages all HR resources and details in a manual.

Why your company needs an employee handbook

Taking the time and effort to create an employee handbook is a must for organizations of all shapes and sizes.

Let's look at some of the top reasons your team needs an employee handbook to reference.

It introduces new employees to the company's values, mission, culture and goals. It details the expectations of employers and employees. It explains key company policies, rules, and regulations in a clear and concise manner. It provides information about benefits that employees may need. It ensures that the organization always remains compliant with state and federal laws. It lets employees know where they can go for help and who to contact when they have a question or concern. What to Include in an Employee Handbook

If you're creating an employee handbook for the first time or for a brand new company, you need a starting point. And for that, it comes down to knowing which sections to include and what information goes where.

“An employee handbook is a policy-based document that clearly explains to employees what is expected, including areas related to conduct and performance. A well-written handbook can be a great way to reinforce the culture, values, mission and vision."

Kristina CreedDirector of Human Operations at G2 Basics of employment

Your business manual should start with the basics. Start with an employee handbook table of contents at the beginning, then introduce key information and details.

First, provide information about the company's mission statement and values ​​to ensure alignment from the start. Share a statement explaining what matters most to the company and highlight the values ​​employees are expected to uphold.

Need some inspiration? The G2 Employee Handbook outlines our PEAK values, which you can learn more about on our G2 Culture page.

This section must also include an equal employment opportunity statement. This is a necessary part of the manual, not only for legal purposes, but also because it promotes a culture of meritocracy and respect in your workplace.

Next, describe the recruitment and selection process. This section should share typical steps in the hiring process and information about background checks, referral programs, and other general guidelines. Also mention if any of these rules differ between full-time and part-time employees, in addition to temporary, contract, and non-exempt staff.

Finally, share some general information about the company and how it came to be. Have fun with this section!

General company information can answer questions such as:

What is your business and what do you do? Who are the founders and when was it founded? Where was the original office? Why is it important? Why should others care? Workplace policies

Once the basics are covered, move on to details regarding workplace policies and the conditions employees can expect to work under.

Policies...