Myth#2

“My attorney/buddy told me not to have an employee handbook because it will be used against me. He told me not to worry. If I get into trouble, he can get me out of damn near anything.”

Fact #2:  Having a professionally drafted employee handbook can only help you.

As the boss, you need to make up the rules in the workplace and apply them consistently, clearly, and in compliance with federal and state laws.  The way to do this is through your handbook.  If you don’t do this, the laws stack up against you as the employer, and the attorney suing you gets to make up the rules in accordance to how it will best work out monetarily for him and his client.

Most employers don’t know that many of the same laws that protect your employees also can be addressed in a way that protects you as well.  But, it must be done in writing, and it must include the right policies in order to effectively level the playing field.

These days, the average cost to defend a case in court can easily exceed $90,000! What makes the difference when a hungry plaintiff’s attorney or EEOC administrator decides to target you is what’s in the documentation, starting with your handbook. The truth is that the right documents are the only way to stave off this threat.