Three tips for compiling a staff handbook
1. Involve your staff
in reaching agreements and drawing up rules. If they have a say, they will be much more likely to be supportive than if the rules are simply imposed on them. If you have a lot of staff in various departments, you can set up a project group to organize this.
2. Create a compelling handbook
When compiling a staff handbook, you do so honestly and in good conscience.
However, it can turn out that an agreement or rule does not work effectively. Always keep your eyes and ears open for signals that this is happening. N.B. Rules apply when amending the staff handbook:
A staff handbook is a legal document that an employee signs for when entering into employment. Amendments are possible only: With the approval of all staff. If an amendment is positive for staff, you do not need approval; When the law demands it.
Amendments must always be communicated. Staff must always have access to this document.
3. Keep it short
As indicated, the size of a staff handbook can vary considerably. However, our advice is: keep it short and simple. Do not attempt to include every single rule and every hypothetical situation at work in the handbook, but choose the most common issues instead. Make sure you produce a concise, clear text with short sentences that do not allow for several interpretations.