And if your company doesn't have a handbook, managers and employees will need to rely on the company's “institutional memory” to ensure that policies are consistently applied. Work policies and expectations also take on more importance and are more likely to be followed when you codify them in an official handbook.
Whether all of your employees are based in Texas or only a handful, you will need to provide a Texas-specific handbook to ensure your employees know the policies and rights entitled to them by their state. Find the required state policies for Texas, federally required policies, and other optional policies below.
Social Security and Medicare. Unemployment insurance. Workers' compensation insurance. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections.
The topics included in the employee handbook should cover the employer's mission statement, equal employment opportunity statement, contractual disclaimer and at-will employment statement (where allowed), purpose of the employee handbook, and background information on the company.
Employee handbooks are not legally binding unless they explicitly state that they are. However, certain statements in the handbook can be interpreted as contractual promises if they are specific enough and imply mutual obligations between employer and employee.
Certain policies are mandatory and must be included in your employee handbook. For example, California employers must have a written harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention policy. Including these policies clarifies for employees their rights and obligations, and protects you from potential liability.
Are employee handbooks required by law? It's not legally required to provide an employee handbook.
How to write an employee handbook Include your company's mission statement. Write a brief section on company history. State any legal declarations. Explain your dress code. Include details about work hours. Define duties. Include department-specific policies. Describe company benefits.
When creating an employee handbook, there are certain elements that must be included for it to be a legally binding contract between employer and employee. These include: Language stating that the agreement is mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Whether all of your employees are based in Texas or only a handful, you will need to provide a Texas-specific handbook to ensure your employees know the policies and rights entitled to them by their state. Find the required state policies for Texas, federally required policies, and other optional policies below.