Foundations of Employee Handbooks

A skillfully drafted employee handbook can become an indispensable tool for mitigating risk and achieving a first class workplace culture. The benefits of implementing and maintaining an employee handbook are numerous. Beyond describing an employer's policies and procedures, an employee handbook can clarify employee expectations, demonstrate compliance with applicable legal requirements, and reduce an employer's overall legal exposure.

In this course, Tannenbaum Helpern employment attorney and partner, Jason B. Klimpl, will discuss the key components of any employee handbook, legally required and recommended policies, drafting considerations for preparing and maintaining an employee handbook, and other best practices.

Learning Objectives:

1. Establish why an employee handbook is important, and the purposes an employee handbook should and should not serve
2. Address crucial laws, policies, and disclaimers every employee handbook should contain
3. Recognize red flags when reviewing an employee handbook, such as references to a "probationary" or "introductory" period or progressive discipline policies
4. Identify best practices for creating and maintaining an employee handbook