Paul Peters is the Chief Editor of Betterteam. He's a former print journalist and small business owner and has written articles for a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites.
Download this free employee handbook template, fill in your company information, and have a handbook created in no time.
Below, we have created an employee handbook template that you can use in its entirety. You can also cut and paste the sections that are most relevant to your company and create a customized version. The bold sections in square brackets need to be updated and replaced with your own wording as needed.
Welcome to [Company Name]! We’re glad to have you here. We’ve been in business since [year] and since that time have developed the philosophy that [company philosophy]. Our overriding goal is [your company’s main goal]. Our mission is [mission statement].
If you’re reading this, we think you’re a good fit for helping us fulfill our mission and achieve our goals.
This handbook replaces previous employee handbooks, memos, and manuals. We reserve the right to interpret, cancel, change, suspend, or dispute, with or without notice, all or any part of these policies, procedures, and benefits at any point. Employees will be notified of changes.
Changes take effect on dates determined by the Company. After changes take effect, previous policies are void. Individual managers and supervisors cannot change policies.
We rely on the accuracy of employment application information and any other data candidates provide during the hiring process.
Falsifications, misrepresentations, or material omissions may result in the exclusion of the candidate from consideration for employment. If the candidate has been hired, termination of employment may be considered.
You enter into this employment voluntarily and are free to resign at any time for any reason or no reason. Likewise, [Company Name] is free to conclude its relationship with any employee at any time for any reason or no reason. Following a probationary period, the Employment Termination Policy in Section 3.4 is applicable.
An “employee” of [Company Name] is a person who regularly works for [Company Name] on a wage or salary basis. “Employees” may include exempt, nonexempt, temporary, regular full-time, regular part-time employees, and other employees who are subject to the control and supervision of [Company Name] in the performance of their duties.
Human resources provide an orientation for new employees. This includes an overview of the company's history, and an explanation of the company's vision, mission, values, goals, and objectives. Orientation also includes an explanation of tax and legal issues, benefits, and help completing necessary paperwork.
Employees are presented with codes, keys, procedures, and secret handshakes needed to access their workspace. Supervisors introduce new hires to staff, explain company evaluation procedures, review position scope, and job description, and help them start working.
Protecting trade secrets and confidential business information is essential to the success of [Company Name].
Such confidential information includes (but is not limited to): pending projects and proposals, proprietary production processes, compensation data, personnel/payroll records, financial information, marketing strategies, and conversations with people associated with the company.
As a condition of employment, employees must sign a nondisclosure agreement. Employees improperly disclosing or using confidential business information or trade secrets are subject to disciplinary action, including termination and legal action, even if the disclosure does not benefit them.
[Company Name] does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, or disability. We make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
The probationary period for regular employees is [x] days from the hire date. This is a time for management to evaluate new employees, and for new employees to evaluate the company.
During the probationary period, the company and the employee can terminate employment without notice. Upon completion of the probationary period, a review will be conducted and benefits will begin as appropriate.
[Company Name] is open from [x a.m. to x p.m.] from [day of week] to [day of week], except for holidays (see Section 6.7, Holidays). The standard workweek is [x] hours (see Section 4.3, Overtime).
For calculating employee benefits, the workweek begins on [day and time] through [day and time], unless a supervisor makes other arrangements with the employee.
Employees receive a [length of time] break for lunch. Lunch breaks are generally taken between the hours of [insert times].
[Company Name] allows breaks during the following times: [insert times]. If employees have unexpected personal business to take care of, they must notify their direct supervisor to discuss time away from work and make provisions as necessary. [Alternatively: [Company Name] does not allow breaks except during the lunch period.]
Emergencies, including fires, severe weather, or power failures, can disrupt company operations. Executive staff members will make the decision to close if needed. Employees will receive an official notification from their supervisors if the company is closed due to an emergency.
Employee personnel files should include their [insert appropriate documents, such as the job application, job description, resume, records of training, salary history, records of disciplinary action, and/or documents related to employee performance reviews, coaching, and mentoring].
Personnel files are [Company Name]'s property. Access to information they contain is restricted. Management personnel of [Company Name] who have a legitimate reason to review the file are allowed to. To review their own files employees should contact their supervisor or Human Resources Representative.
With reasonable notice, employees may review their personnel file in the company’s office and in the presence of their supervisor or Human Resources Representative.
Employees are responsible for notifying their supervisor or [Company Name]'s Human Resources Department of changes such as mailing address, telephone number, name, number of dependents, and emergency contacts. An employee’s personal data should be accurate and current at all times.
Supervisors conduct formal performance reviews every [x months]. Informal performance reviews may be conducted more often.
Performance reviews are for employees and supervisors to talk about current tasks and discuss ideas for meeting work goals. Performance is directly tied to wage and salary increases. Performance reviews will have a direct effect on your compensation.
Employees may hold outside jobs in unrelated businesses or professions as long as there is no conflict of interest, performance standards, and scheduling demands are met, and [Company Name] resources are not used for outside employment.
[Company Name] holds each of its employees to its rules and standards of ethical conduct (see Section 5). [Company Name] expects the employee’s supervisor to take action when employees deviate from them.
Though [Company Name] usually takes a progressive approach to discipline, some actions are grounds for immediate employment termination.
These include but are not limited to:
Terminations are part of personnel activity at any company.
Examples and definitions of common termination types:
Exempt employees shall give at least [x weeks'] written notice. Since employment with [Company Name] is based on mutual consent, both the employee and [Company Name] have the right to terminate employment at will, with or without cause during the introductory/probationary period for new employees (See Section 3.1, Introductory/Probationary Period for New Employees).
When a nonexempt employee intends to terminate their employment with [Company Name], they shall give [Company Name] at least [x weeks'] written notice.
Employees who terminate employment with [Company Name] shall return company property. No final employee payment will be made until all items are returned in appropriate condition. The cost of replacing unreturned items is deducted from the employee’s final pay.
Any outstanding financial obligations owed to [Company Name] will also be deducted from the employee’s final pay.
Benefits are affected by employment termination in the following manner:
[Company Name] will pay accrued vested benefits due and payable at termination. Some benefits may be continued at employee expense (See Section 4, Benefits). The employee will be informed of benefits that may be continued and how to do so.
[Company Name] provides information to employees about health issues and workplace safety through:
Employees must be cautious and obey safety rules. Unsafe conditions should be reported to a supervisor immediately. Disciplinary action, including termination of employment, may result from violating safety standards, creating dangerous situations, or failing to report or remedy such situations.
A supervisor should be notified immediately in case of accident-related injuries, no matter how insignificant. (See Section 3.16, Employee Requiring Medical Attention).
Strictly for the protection of employee health, employees should inform supervisors or human resources representatives of health-related issues.
A doctor's note stating whether the employee can perform their job duties is required when or shortly after notice has been given.
Employees should notify their supervisor and Human Resources Representative if a health issue requires a leave of absence. These are granted on a case-by-case basis.
If an employee requires medical attention, the employee’s personal physician must be notified immediately. If it is necessary for the employee to be seen by the doctor or go to the hospital, a family member will be called to transport the employee to the appropriate facility.
Due to potential liabilities, [Company Name]’s employees will not be responsible for transporting another employee.
The employee will be responsible for transportation charges when an emergency requires Emergency Medical Services to evaluate the employee on-site.
Employees are not allowed on Company property after hours without proper authorization.
Employees given the responsibility to close the business at the end of the day assume responsibility for locking doors, arming alarm systems, and performing any additional building care, such as turning off lights or setting thermostats.
Employees who are issued work keys are responsible for them.
Employees whose regular duties do not include purchasing shall not make purchases on behalf of [Company Name] without written approval.
In order to make purchases in the name of the company, you must be authorized by a manager or supervisor.
Reimbursements under [$x] will be included in the employee’s next regular paycheck. Larger amounts will be processed as an invoice. Reimbursement request forms should be turned in to [department name].
Supervisors must give prior approval of expenses.
To protect the safety and security of employees, visitors, and facilities, only authorized visitors are allowed in the workplace. Restricting unauthorized visitors helps ensure security, guards confidential information, decreases insurance liability, protects employee welfare, and limits distractions.
Employees must park their cars in parking lots or other areas indicated and provided by the Company.
New employees must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 and present documentation verifying employment eligibility and identity.
[Company Name] employs United States citizens and non-U.S. citizens authorized to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Rehired employees who have not completed an I-9 with [Company Name] in the past three years or whose previous I-9 is no longer retained or valid must complete another.
Employee wages are reviewed [insert time]. The employee’s review date is typically on or around the anniversary date of employment or the date of the previous compensation review, although reviews may be conducted more often, depending on the circumstances.
(The following is for employees using a time clock.) Nonexempt employees are responsible for recording their time worked correctly. Time worked is time actually spent performing assigned duties. Employees are responsible for recording time spent on individual jobs.
[Company Name] does not pay for time spent on personal business or extended breaks. The time clock is a legal instrument. Altering, falsifying, tampering with time records, or recording time on another employee’s time record will result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
Time records are reviewed weekly. Time record changes must be approved [by a supervisor/manager]. [Insert title] can handle questions about timekeeping.
Overtime compensation is paid to nonexempt employees in accordance with federal and state wage and hour restrictions.
Overtime is payable for all hours worked over [x] per week at a rate of one and one-half times the nonexempt employee's regular hourly rate. Time off on personal time, holidays, or any leave of absence will not be considered hours worked when calculating overtime. In addition, vacation time does not constitute hours worked.
All overtime work performed by an hourly employee must receive authorization. Overtime worked without authorization from the [insert supervisor name] may result in disciplinary action.
All employees are paid [insert timeframe]. In the event that a regularly scheduled payday falls on a weekend or holiday, employees will receive pay [on/by the next day of operation].
[Company Name] provides an automated direct deposit service for employees, which automatically deposits a pay stub in an employee’s bank or credit union account(s). To use this service, complete a direct deposit authorization form, which is available from [insert department].
Standards of ethics and conduct for [Company Name] are important, and the Company takes them seriously.
Employees are expected to follow codes and standards in conducting the Company’s business and doing their jobs.
Deviating from company rules and standards can lead to disciplinary action, including termination of employment (see Section 3.13, Disciplinary Action).
[Company Name] offers a benefits program for its [regular full-time] and [regular part-time] employees. However, the existence of these programs does not signify that an employee will necessarily be employed for the required time necessary to qualify for the benefits included in and administered through these programs.
[Company Name] offers the following health and life insurance programs for regular full-time employees (as determined by the carrier of the policies).
This handbook does not contain the complete terms and/or conditions of any of [Company Name]'s current insurance benefits plans. It is intended only to provide general explanations.
If there is ever any conflict between the handbook and any documents issued by one of [Company Name]'s insurance carriers, the carrier’s guideline regulations will be regarded as authoritative.
The Federal Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows employees and qualified beneficiaries to continue health insurance coverage under [Company Name]’s health plan when a “qualifying event” would normally result in loss of eligibility.
Common qualifying events include:
Under COBRA, the employee or beneficiary pays the full cost of coverage at [Company Name]’s group rates plus an administrative fee. [Company Name] provides each eligible employee with a notice describing rights under COBRA when the employee becomes eligible for coverage under [Company Name]’s health insurance plan.
The Simple Investment Retirement Account (Simple IRA) plan offers [Company Name]'s employees an opportunity for saving, financial growth, and favorable tax treatment. The IRA plan helps contributors save by reducing gross taxable income.
[Company Name] withholds income tax from employee earnings and participates in FICA (Social Security) and Medicare withholding and matching programs as the law requires.
[Insert any matching contribution information].
For any given year, a Contributing Participant’s Elective Deferrals shall not exceed [$x] (indexed for cost-of-living increases according to law). Please see the [appropriate person] for the current percentage. Eligibility occurs after [x months] of continuous employment for [regular full-time] and [regular part-time] employees.
Paid vacation is available to regular part-time employees and regular full-time employees following their first-year anniversary with [Company Name].
Paid vacation hours are based on the following:
Unused earned vacation is paid and added to the employee’s final paycheck upon termination. One week of paid vacation may be carried over from one calendar year to the next.
For vacations longer than one week, requests should be received in writing at least [x] days before the proposed vacation period.
The [Human Resources Department] maintains vacation day records.
[Company Name] observes the following [non-]paid holidays per year for all [nonexempt] employees:
Employees will be granted unpaid time off for jury or military leave. Regular employees will be kept on active payroll until civic duties are completed. A copy of the jury duty summons and associated paperwork are required.
Under normal working conditions, employees who have a job-related problem, question, or complaint should go to their immediate supervisor first to get the fastest and best solution. If the employee and supervisor do not solve the problem, [Company Name] encourages employees to contact the [Human Resources Representative].
Employees are responsible for reading important announcements and information posted on the bulletin boards in [locations].
[Company Name] encourages employees with suggestions that they do not want to give verbally or in person to write them down and leave them in the suggestion box located [in/at x]. If this is done anonymously, care will be taken to protect employee privacy. [A member of upper management] checks the box on a regular basis.
Staff meetings will be held [insert schedule]. These meetings allow employees to be informed about company activities and important news. It's also a chance to recognize employee performance.
