Developing an employee handbook (also known as a policy and procedures manual) for your business may seem a bit overwhelming. In actual fact it’s not really that difficult.

Having established policies, written in a handbook, eliminates confusion about what you expect from your employees, and what they can expect from you as the employer.

There are many templates, guidelines and sample policies available on the internet to help you. An easy way to get started is by visiting the Manitoba Labour Standards website. It identifies minimum workplace standards that can form the beginning of your handbook. It also covers topics such as working alone, employee records, payroll deductions, scheduling, overtime, unpaid and paid leaves, vacation and vacation pay, general holidays, and notice of termination to name a few.

The minimum workplace standards must be respected, but employers may choose to provide more benefits or pay higher wages.

Additional policies relating more specifically to your industry, such as professional codes of conduct, should also be included in the handbook.

A summary of your company’s history, values and beliefs, vision, mission and philosophies makes a good introduction for your handbook. It is the employee’s responsibility to read and understand the content. As part of the performance review process, some organizations have their staff sign an acknowledgement statement indicating they have read the handbook. This statement is then kept in the employee’s personnel file.

Posted by Pat Sargeant at 1:17 PM 0 Comments

Tags employee handbooks  policy and procedures manual  Manitoba Labour Standards  policies  women business owners