Where can I find a free employee handbook outline to use?

Question

I am looking for a template to use to write an employee handbook or manual for my small business.

Answer 1

I just went through this painful process this summer. I do not envy you. At first, I was thinking the same thing, just pick something up on the internet and away we go. Wrong. I had to go over it with a fine tooth comb and insert certain things that were required by my business size by state and federal law and take other things out that did not apply. It was not an easy process, hashing and re-hashing things over (like the nitty-gritties of benefits) with all of the owners and trying to gain some kind of compromise.

If you do go the precanned route, you can pick one up for about $20-50 online. You can also check with the SBA for examples that you can look at to structure your own. Two lessons I learned doing this: Be sure and have your insurance agent and lawyer take a look at it before implementing it, and be sure to place right inside the front cover some type of disclaimer that it is a living document and as such, is subject to change with or without notice.

We bought a template, crossed it with the SBA samples and, in the end, wound up writing our own. I spent many late nights with the good old coffee pot. We worked so hard on it, that we were considering marketing it. I wish you good luck, sir.

Answer 2

Is this what you're looking for?

Chief Executive’s Welcome
About the Company and Expectations
Role of the Employee
Code of Conduct
Equity and Diversity *
Customer Service
Training and Development
Electronic Communication Guidelines
Pay and Benefits
Personal Files
Dispute Resolution
Whistleblowers **
Union ***
Conditions of Employment ****
Awards *****
Hours of Work, Flextime
Leave
Overtime
Probation
Your Safety Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA)
Organization Charts

* Affirmative Action/ Sexual Harassment Policy

** Rights of employees who report unethical/ illegal corporate activities

*** (OPTIONAL) - We recognize employee's right to join, or not join a Union. At this time we are a small company, a family and therefore management does not feel that a union would be in the best interests of the employees, the company or tour customers.

**** Management's Rights - The exclusive right of Management to run the business, determine the products to be manufactrured, to control and direct the workforce, etc.

***** Recognition, Service, Safety, Quality, etc.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.