Employee Handbook for Small Businesses

The employer

Is the employer a business or an individual?

Employer's full legal name

For a business, use its registered name, including "LLC" or "Inc." if it has one.

Street address

City

State

ZIP code

About the handbook

Name the business uses with employees, if different optional

For example, a trade name such as "Delgado Bakery". Leave blank to use the legal name only.

Date this handbook takes effect

In which state do most of your employees work?

Shown as the principal work location. The handbook does not state any state-specific rule; it says the business follows applicable law wherever employees work.

A short introduction to your business optional

Two or three sentences for the welcome page, for example what you do, who you serve and what you value.

Human resources contact and reporting

Give employees at least two ways to report harassment, discrimination or retaliation, so no one ever has to report to a person who is involved in the conduct.

Who should employees contact with handbook and human resources questions?

Usually a human resources manager, office manager or the owner.

That person's job title optional

That person's email optional

Enter an email, a phone number, or both.

That person's phone optional

May employees report harassment, discrimination or retaliation to that person?

Yes No

May employees also report to their supervisor or any other manager?

Yes No

An alternate person employees may report to optional

Someone outside the usual chain, such as the owner or another senior manager, so employees never have to report to a person involved in the conduct.

A reporting phone line or web form, if you have one optional

For example, "1-800-555-0100" or a web address for confidential reports.

Employment basics

Which kinds of employees do you have?

Full-time

Part-time

Temporary or seasonal

Do new employees have an introductory period?

Yes No

A getting-started period for training and feedback. The handbook says it does not change at-will employment.

How do you handle remote or hybrid work?

Hours and pay

On which day does your workweek start?

The workweek is the fixed seven-day period used to count hours for overtime.

Normal business hours optional

For example, "Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m."

How often are employees paid?

Choose the schedule you actually use, and check any pay-frequency rules that apply where your employees work.

How do non-exempt employees record their time?

Must overtime be approved in advance?

Yes No

Either way, the handbook says overtime that is worked is always paid as required by applicable law.

Time off and holidays

Conduct

When must employees report an unplanned absence or late arrival?

Dress code

Technology

May employees use company computers, phones and accounts for personal matters?

Safety

Who should employees tell about injuries and safety concerns, besides their supervisor? optional

Leave blank to use the human resources contact.

Emergency information for your workplace optional

For example, where evacuation maps, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are, and where to meet outside.

Leaving the company

How many weeks of notice do you ask for when an employee resigns?

Do you offer an exit interview?

Yes No

Acknowledgment

Include an acknowledgment page for employees to sign?

Yes No

Each employee signs to confirm receipt of the handbook. Keep the signed pages in personnel files.

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Employee Handbook

The employer

About the handbook

Human resources contact and reporting

Employment basics

Hours and pay

Time off and holidays

Conduct

Technology

Safety

Leaving the company

Acknowledgment

Review your answers

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