| An Employment Policy Manual, also referred to as | | | | A well-written Employment Policy Manual will clarify |
| an Employee Manual or Employee Handbook, is a | | | | many of the expectations within the workplace. It |
| document that clarifies and communicates the | | | | will also minimize your risk of facing expensive |
| issues that relate to the employer/employee | | | | litigation, such as a wrongful dismissal or a |
| relationship. It usually does not address job | | | | constructive dismissal lawsuit, by ensuring that |
| specific issues. | | | | your current employment practices conform to |
| It presents many of the rules and regulations of | | | | current employment-related legislation. It is like an |
| the workplace, many of the terms and conditions | | | | insurance policy. |
| of employment, and is an important part of the | | | | If you should find yourself facing a judge |
| employment contract. | | | | defending yourself against an employment related |
| Many of the policies presented in the Manual will | | | | lawsuit, the only reasonable defense that will work |
| be based in legislation and common law. Your | | | | for you will be based on the documentation that |
| policy statements must conform to the laws of | | | | you can provide that clearly shows due diligence |
| your jurisdiction. Keep in mind that you cannot | | | | on your part. The Employment Policy Manual, |
| contract out of your obligations under legislation. In | | | | along with a clear 'paper trail' of disciplinary notes, |
| some circumstances, you can contract out of | | | | etc., will be an important part of that due diligence |
| obligations under common law. | | | | defense. |
| The Employment Policy Manual must be written in | | | | From the point of view of your employees, both |
| a way that ensures that it is not vulnerable to | | | | current and prospective, the Employment Policy |
| misinterpretation. It must be written in a way that | | | | Manual will clarify much of what is, or will be, |
| is understandable by all employees who are | | | | expected of them during their employment. It will |
| impacted by the contents of the Manual. Manuals | | | | also clarify and communicate what they can |
| written in confusing 'legalese' will usually be difficult | | | | expect of you, their employer. The best |
| for many employees to understand. I usually | | | | employees will be looking for employment with |
| suggest that the Manual should be written at a | | | | organizations that present their employment |
| level that is understandable by anyone who is | | | | practices in a clear and confident manner. |
| functionally literate in English. | | | | Ideally, the workplace expectations should be |
| Poorly written policies, which are confusing or | | | | clearly communicated before the employment |
| open to misinterpretation, can be worse than no | | | | relationship is established. A copy of the Manual |
| policies at all. | | | | should be given to the prospective employee as |
| Why You Need It | | | | part of the employment contract. |