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Volume 59 (4) : April, 2006
business
irish Veterinary Journal
employee Handbooks
DAVID NUNAN, senior HR consultant at Graphite HRM, looks
at the value of employee handbooks in the workplace
“What is the benefit of having a set of employee policies and
procedures?” or “Can’t we keep things informal and flexible – it’s
worked up to now?” These are typical responses from business
owners and managers when we speak to them about employee
handbooks. In particular, small businesses that have grown
and expanded organically over time are often very resistant to
documenting their workplace practices. Many feel that such a move
will stifle the culture of the organisation and how the people there
work and behave. However, there is a strong business case to put
in place a comprehensive employee handbook outlining terms and
conditions of employment and people management policies and
procedures.
Purpose of the handbook
The primary purpose of an employee handbook is to confirm, in
writing, each employee’s terms and conditions of employment, while
at the same time outlining the responsibilities and expectations
of employees. The document is an extension of an employee’s
contract of employment, and may be used to support this pillar of
the employment relationship. An employee handbook should set
out to create awareness of workplace policies, procedures, rules
and regulations dealing with every eventuality in the employment
relationship. In doing so, the handbook will encourage employees to
make the most of the benefits that they enjoy, while ensuring that
their rights are upheld in a variety of circumstances. At the same
time, having documented procedures in place can enhance employee
commitment as it sets out, in a clear and transparent manner, how
situations will be handled, and help ensure that staff are treated in a
fair and consistent manner.
The business case
In addition to confirming terms and conditions, the handbook is also
a key tool in assisting the organisation to ensure com