Research shows that poor communication is one of the leading causes of misunderstandings and conflicts in the workplace. It is important for companies, especially personal and laundry services companies, to have a comprehensive employee handbook that covers essential topics such as company policies, employee benefits, and disciplinary procedures. By having a clear and concise handbook, employees will have a better understanding of the company’s expectations and procedures, which can ultimately lead to a more productive and harmonious workplace.
especially between employees and employers. Issues often arise when new hires do not possess the same values as their co-workers or employers. A clear and well-written employee handbook (that employees actually read) is the antidote to these common issues.
There are many topics to consider including in your employee handbook (Learn more about what to include in your employee handbook here). Above all else, make sure your employee handbook covers these three things:
Company Values
A disconnect between a new hire and the values of the company he or she is joining can have far reaching consequences impacting performance, employee satisfaction and retention. It can even impact the bottom line. It is therefore imperative that employees share the same values as the organization, and understand why this is important for them and the long-term growth of the business they work for.
Make sure your employee handbook includes these 3 essential things to ensure that everyone is on the same page and aligned with the company’s values.
We ve all heard the saying hire for fit, train for talent . In other words, it is far more important to hire the candidate that fits your team and shares the same values over the candidate who brings the technical skills because skills can be taught, whereas values cannot. For example; If your organization values teamwork, but your candidate prefers to work solo, this individual will likely have trouble collaborating with others which could cause problems for the full team, and ultimately result in an HR nightmare.
Values are the building blocks of company culture. In this modern day, your company culture is critical to keeping your employees happy and driven to put their best feet forward everyday. Employing workers with the same values result in a culture that self-perpetuates increased retention means that your team is stronger, more cohesive and far more productive.
Studies show that companies with strong values and company culture tend to be more successful. Zappos is considered a market leader when it comes to living by their corporate values Other companies can observe Zappos employees living what they preach in office tours, and Zappos even offers a 3-day immersive workshop for others learn from them. CEO, Tony Hseiah, says Our whole belief is if you get the culture right, then most of the other stuff, like delivering great customer service or building a long-term brand or business will just be a natural byproduct. Make sure your employee handbook covers these 3 essential things and check out the 10 best employee handbook examples updated in 2022. Leaders like Zappos are living proof that virtues are a workplace game changer. They teach us to focus on hiring a team with the same values, rather than forcing employees to live your organization s values.
Make or Break Policies
What are the company policies at your organization that, if not followed, can result in dismissal? Every common cause for dismissal at your organization should be addressed in your employee manual. Common causes that are recognized in the court of law are: poor performance, dishonesty, absenteeism, theft, lateness and off-duty conduct. For each of these causes, be clear about how dismissal/discipline is handles at your organization. For example; is there a performance management program to help alert employees when their performance is lagging? Are there certain causes that your organization has zero tolerance for? Once these common causes for dismissal have been captured in your employee manual, make sure your legal team reviews these policies before publishing and distributing your employee handbook to your workforce.
Acknowledgement of Receipt
Don t just share your employee handbook As an employer, it’s important to make sure your employee handbook covers the essential things. One common question about employee handbooks is whether employees need to sign to acknowledge they have read it. Although not required by law, ensuring your employees have read your handbook by requiring their signatures makes your company policies legally binding. Employees are now responsible for knowing the information in your employee manual. Asking for a signature will also increase the likelihood that this manual will be reviewed and taken seriously, as people are naturally more likely to read something that requires their signature. For more helpful tips, check out these five tips for creating the best employee handbook. At AirMason, we offer an efficient way to manage and track this process with our digital signatures. feature. Learn more here. Make sure this page especially is reviewed by an employment lawyer!
