Update an Employee Handbook
When to Use This Flowchart
Use the Update an Employee Handbook flowchart to assist when reviewing and updating an employee handbook.
An employee handbook serves as an important communication tool between an employer and its employees. The handbook also serves as a valuable resource for an employer because it sets workplace standards that guide employee behavior and performance expectations. A well-written, compliant handbook may also prevent and/or serve as a defense against employee lawsuits, but only if the handbook accurately reflects the employer's current policies, practices and procedures.
An employer should periodically review and update its employee handbook to ensure that it reflects existing organizational policies. While an annual review and update is most common, certain circumstances, such as changing legal requirements and organizational structure changes, may make more frequent updates necessary.
This flowchart walks an employer through the major steps when updating an employee handbook. This flowchart also helps an employer on how to monitor and track developments that may affect its employee handbook.
Key Steps
- Review current employee handbook.
- Decide what needs to be incorporated into the revised employee handbook.
- Finalize, distribute and communicate revised employee handbook.
- Obtain employee acknowledgement and receipt.