If business owners realized the role a good employee handbook can play in protecting their company from employee litigation, keeping it up to date would be a bigger priority. Alas, many employers neglect these documents until a glaring error decides a case in an employee’s favor.
Historically, employee handbooks were used primarily to educate employees on company decorum and their health and vacation benefits. In today’s ever-changing employment laws, the employee handbook also educates employees on their rights and provides proof that your company understands and is following federal and state employment laws.
Check your employee handbook now to see if you have covered the latest developments for:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) policies on discrimination, harassment and whistleblower protections.
Leave of Absence requirements that may have recently changed, including leave for firefighters, emergency rescue workers, reserve peace officers, pregnant workers, domestic violence victims, bone marrow or organ donors and leave for military duty, school, jury duty and more.
Electronic communications policies that detail the use of communications devices in the office and from remote locations, including risk management procedures and processes to protect important data from cybersecurity threats.
Social media policies regarding employee use of social media in the workplace, including what is considered protected work activity.
National Labor Relations Act rules compliance that informs employees of their rights under the NLRA. Several recent NLRB decisions will potentially require updates to this section of your handbook.
Company IP protection measures, including confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-compete agreements and policies governing trade secrets.
Comprehensive list of benefits, including any changes to health insurance.
We can help you create employee handbooks that keep your company in compliance with the latest employment law rules and regulations. To learn more about our personal approach to business planning, call us today to schedule your comprehensive LIFT™ (legal, insurance, financial and tax) Foundation Audit.
