If you’re a mid-size business today, the chances are that you were a small business just yesterday. With growth has come a need for more structure. The on-the-fly practices that served you well in the early days need to give way to more organization and consistency. HR is one area that particularly benefits from definition and clarity. Have you thought about creating an employee handbook? If not, here are four reasons why you should give it serious consideration:
Efficiency
Having one consistent place to communicate your policies makes life much easier for HR and other managers. With a well-written handbook, you can be certain that all team members get the same information about your organization. Handbooks communicate expectations and policies equally. Regardless of position or experience, every employee gets the same message about your company and its missions and values.
Completeness
Onboarding a new employee is complicated. You’ve got lots of information to present, and it’s easy for things to be forgotten and slip through the cracks. Some of your managers may be more skilled at onboarding than others. A handbook ensures that all the info is covered, including the many perks and benefits your company has to offer.
Consistency
When your policies are standardized and written out for all to see in an employee handbook, decisions will be more consistent across the organization. For example, when mid-size business background checks policies are included in your handbook, everyone involved will know that background screenings are being conducted fairly and consistently according to the guidelines in the handbook. Managers don’t need to make subjective judgment calls, but can rely on the handbook to guide their decisions which makes many management tasks easier and fairer.
Protection
Having a solid handbook in place protects your organization from accusations of bias or favoritism. A handbook serves as a resource that everyone in your organization can use to resolve disputes. Well-written, consistently applied policies shield managers and employees from unfair treatment. Your employee handbook can also serve as a defense against legal claims brought by current and former employees. It may also decrease the likelihood of such claims, as employees will be aware of your efforts to be transparent and non-discriminatory.
Be Proactive
A comprehensive employee handbook is a proactive measure designed to define your organization’s culture and be fully transparent with all your employees. Great handbooks reflect your values and contribute positively to the company. They make life within the business at all levels easier. If you don’t already have a handbook, now is a great time to create one for your growing business.
