Handbook Contents Audit

You should modify the handbook information presented here to reflect your situation and to identify areas for improvement. Several steps may require the participation of counsel. Some of the steps you may wish to hire consultants to complete. The following basic steps are in sequence:

1. Starting with  "What should be in an employee handbook?," add or delete topics for inclusion based on state laws in all of the jurisdictions your company has employees.

2. Add or delete topics for inclusion based on a review of all company work rules written or unwritten. Consider reviewing terminations for the last several years to identify areas to include.

3. Consult with employee groups to identify those areas in the existing handbook that are confusing and not understood. Also seek input on topics that should be included in the handbook that are not currently included.

4. Refer to material in HRAnswersNow to identify other topics that should be considered for inclusion. You might want to have a discussion with your counterparts at other organizations to determine what is the pattern and practice in your recruiting market.

5. Draft the actual contents --consistent with law and company policy and practice --for each topic that you have decided to add or revise in your handbook.

6. If possible, have colleagues outside and inside the organization review the draft and provide feedback concerning whether or not the material is easily understood as well as to identify any inconsistencies or miscommunications.

7. Have counsel review and comment on the draft contents. Incorporate any advice into a second draft.

8. Analyze the impact, including cost of any changes proposed. Be sure to be able to respond to questions concerning why you are recommending to include or to change material as well as "How much will this cost?" and "What are the ramifications of this change?"

9. Secure approvals to adopt the draft as final. Be sure to include a mechanism to ensure annual policy and legal review. Assign accountability.

10. Once approved, determine the format of the handbook, print and distribute. Include it in orientation. Schedule meetings with existing employees to discuss changes.