January 17, 2012 - Employee Manuals

7:30 am - 9:00 am
Georgia Mountains Center
$15.00 for Non-Foothills Members (free for first-time guests) 

Employee manuals can be a hassle...are they really worth the effort?

Is it important that your company policies reflect updated or changed State and Federal labor laws?

If you're starting from scratch or revising your existing handbook, what essential policies should you include in your employee manual?

Are you confident that all of your handbook's policies actually apply to your company--or are you just using a general handbook template? Why does it matter?

Remember, there are no federal or state laws requiring an employer to have an employee handbook. However, for a number of reasons, it's a good idea! A well-prepared and effective handbook answers many of the routine questions that otherwise end up on the desk of busy HR professionals. When employees know to look in the handbook first, it saves time. Moreover, an employee handbook is a critical tool for providing employees with information on certain rights that, by law, must be in writing. An effective employee handbook accomplishes five key points:

1. it provides information about the company, its philosophy, and the business.
2. it defines or summarizes the legal relationship between the employer and the employee.
3. it provides information on insurance options, paid time off, and other employee benefits.
4. it includes policies that are required by law--such as those related to the EEOC, COBRA, FMLA, etc.
5. it sets out work rules, standards of conduct, disciplinary procedures, and lets employees know what is expected of them on the job.

Where does your company stand on these important issues? Are you confident your handbook is up-to-date and accurately reflects your employees' rights? We hope to answer these questions and more on January 17th at our next SHRM Foothills of GA chapter meeting.

Presenter: Jared Bostrom, Burnette Insurance Agency