Producing and distributing an employee handbook is one of the best ways to protect your business from employee lawsuits and clearly communicate your company policies. The absence of a formal employee handbook or company policy manual, or a poorly drafted handbook, put your company at risk for costly lawsuits and fines.
All employers should have a well-drafted handbook. Handbooks and personnel policies communicate core information to employees and, when designed and used properly, can serve as an organization’s best defense in employment law disputes. Handbooks and personnel policies are viewed as legal documents and are often introduced as evidence in employment-related disputes.
Are you protected? The Handbook is a combination of policies and procedures designed to be in compliance with wage and hour rules, as well as to protect the company and establish the work rules for managing the employees. A good employee handbook can avert many problems. RTR Consulting regularly draft, audit and update employee handbooks, as well as advise clients on employment-related documents and policies and procedures that reinforce a company’s expectations and guidelines.
RTR Consulting can assist with the drafting and the review of all employment policies, including those addressing:
- Non-discrimination
- Harassment
- Workplace security and violence prevention rules
- Vacation, sick leave and paid time off (“PTO”) policies
- Right to revise and modify policies
- Payroll and compensation policies
- Meal and rest period policies
- Drug and alcohol policies and procedures
- Privacy and electronic and computer usage guidelines
- Benefit disclaimers
- Progressive and corrective discipline policies
- “At will” statements
- Drug and alcohol screening, detection and prohibition policies
- Desk and locker inspection policies
- Workplace security and violence prevention rules
- Vacation, sick leave and paid time off (“PTO”) policies
- Right to revise and modify policies
- Payroll and compensation policies
- Meal and rest period policies
- Social Media
- Standards of conduct
- Leaves of absence
- Compensation and benefit issues
- Conflicts of interest and proprietary information
- Performance review policies and procedures
- Disciplinary issues
RTR Consulting constantly monitors new developments in employment law and continually informs clients on employment law updates to ensure that handbooks and manuals stay current.