Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Employee Handbook Templates

The homemade, borrowed, one-size-fits all employee handbook is the handbook that fails employers the most.  If you insist on creating your employee handbook this way, read on for a list of policies employers often miss or violate.

Entrepreneurs are frequently upset to to learn that they don’t have the skills or ability to accomplish something, especially when it comes to creating their own employee handbook.  But, it’s a job only professionals should attempt.  Not business professionals, but CEDR’s certified human resource professionals and attorneys, who have a passion for advocacy and unparalleled attention to detail.  Settling for anything less won’t work. It can actually cause severe damage.

Policies and Provisions to Avoid When Creating an Employee Handbook

• Refusing to pay unauthorized overtime
• Demanding employees report problems with their paychecks within 1,2,3 weeks, etc. or they will not be paid
• Assuring FMLA compliance
• Informing employees that their employment  is at-will with both parties’ mutual consent
• Mandating a 90 day probationary period for new hires
• Forbidding employees from discussing pay/salary information with their co-workers.
• Stating that the handbook constitutes an agreement
• Declining to pay for seminar travel time and attendance, but paying for airfare, lodging, and meal expenses.
• Deducting the cost of company property from an employee’s paycheck
• Withholding paychecks to punish employees or induce other behavior
• Refusing to pay employees who clock in before or after an established time
• Refusing to pay overtime for seminar and travel time
• Declining to pay seminar or travel time if the event occurs on a day employees are not normally scheduled, i.e., evenings and weekends
• Guaranteeing monthly performance reviews
• Promising one meal break and two paid rest periods, without knowing the state and federal rules regarding meal and rest periods.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of problems attending the homemade employee handbook.  You can avoid these problems by consulting the experts: CEDR’s experts.

When you download a handbook, you download it’s problems.  Problems that can expose you to litigation.  Do-it-yourself handbooks turn out like most do it yourself projects: incomplete.  Implementing a customized employee handbook CAN help you avoid lawsuits, demands, and settlements.  Call us at (866)-414-6056 to get started.

This is general human resources guidance and is not intended to replace expert or attorney advice.