Is your employee handbook still working for your business?

An employee handbook is often one of the first documents a new member of staff receives, but it's much more than an introduction to your business. When kept up to date, it becomes an essential tool for setting expectations, supporting managers and helping to avoid workplace disputes before they arise.

At MBH Solicitors, we regularly advise employers who are dealing with issues that could have been prevented with clear policies and procedures. If your handbook hasn't been reviewed for a number of years, now could be the perfect time to revisit it.

Why is an Employee Handbook so important for your organisation?

Your handbook helps employees understand how your business operates and what is expected of them. It should complement your contracts of employment by providing practical guidance on your workplace policies and procedures.

It also provides consistency. When managers deal with issues such as sickness absence, disciplinary matters or flexible working requests, having clear written guidance helps ensure everyone is treated fairly.

Every business is different, but most handbooks should include the following information:

• Sickness absence and reporting procedures
• Annual leave and other forms of leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Bullying and harassment
• Data protection and confidentiality
• Social media and acceptable use policies
• Health and safety

Many businesses create an employee handbook and then forget about it. Unfortunately, outdated policies can create confusion and increase the risk of disputes. They may also leave employers relying on procedures that no longer reflect current legislation or best practice.

Reviewing your handbook and your policies regularly demonstrates that your business takes its responsibilities seriously and helps protect both your employees and your organisation, whilst remaining compliant with legislation.

An employee handbook isn't just for employees. Managers often rely on workplace policies when making decisions about absence management, disciplinary action or flexible working requests. Having clear guidance gives managers confidence and helps ensure decisions are made consistently.

Whether you're creating your first employee handbook or reviewing an existing one, our Employment Law team can help ensure your policies are clear, practical and legally compliant. We'll work with you to understand your business and tailor your documentation to suit your organisation, giving you confidence that your policies support both your business and your employees.

If you'd like advice on reviewing your employee handbook or any aspect of employment law, we'd be happy to help.

🌐 www.wigansolicitors.com
📞 01942 206060
📩 mbh@wigansolicitors.com