Yesterday, we went back in time and looked at some interesting policies from Walt Disney’s 1943 employee handbook. Today, a few more — as well as a foolproof way to ensure your handbook is always current and complete.
War Work, Espionage, and the Selective Service
The world was obviously a very different place in 1943, and this is evident in the wartime references throughout the handbook (which is now publicly available on Google Docs; you can check it out here):
All the California employee handbook policies you need — already written and fully updated.
Selective Service
We maintain an office to advise and assist you on Selective Service matters. This office is vitally interested in YOUR draft status.
Vacations
Remember, too, that we are engaged in war work, and vacations are subject to change at any time through government order, or Studio policy.
Identification
When Uncle Sam joined us on the lot, he brought with him a new and necessary institution. We refer, of course, to the identification badge. You will note that your picture looks very much like someone else. This is entirely beside the point. [Humor: Notably absent from most present-day employee handbooks!]
Discharge
Union contracts and Studio policy dictate the rules governing discharge. In general, the following are reasons for immediate dismissal:
- Falsification of records, or dishonesty.
- Gross inefficiency. [This is a great one, isn’t it?]
- Malicious abuse of Company equipment or property.
- Insubordination.
- Immoral conduct, or indecency.
- Any violation of the United States Espionage Act.
No Handbook Is Timeless
There’s simply no such thing as an employee handbook that holds up well over the course of a few decades — or even a few years. In fact, if you haven’t updated yours sometime in the past year, there are probably some dangerous inaccuracies in it.
Unfortunately, an employee handbook isn’t a “one-and-done” sort of project — it’s always going to be an ongoing process. You need to spend time developing it and update it on a regular basis.
Even better, let us take the drafting work off your plate for you. Our California Employee Handbook Template includes 101 vital policies — written specifically for employers in California — including:
- At-Will Employment
- Employee Classifications
- Social Media Code of Conduct
- Right to Observe Employees
- Voice Mail, Email, Electronic and Computer Files, and Usage
- Appearance and Courtesy; Uniforms
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Harassment Prohibited
- Retaliation Prohibited
- Bullying Prohibited
- Accommodation of Disabilities
- Zero Tolerance for Drugs or Alcohol in the Workplace
- Terminations
- Final Pay
- Progressive Discipline
- Rest Periods
- Meal Periods
- Overtime Pay, Authorization, and Mandatory Overtime
- Payroll Deductions
- Travel Time Pay
- Bereavement Leave
- COBRA Coverage for Health Insurance
- And 79 more!
Click here for a full Table of Contents.
All of the policies are fully editable and customizable — when you order, you’ll get a link to editable Word versions of all 101 policies. You can start building your handbook right away!
All of the policies in the California Employee Handbook Template have been drafted by an experienced California employment lawyer. Plus, we’ve provided practical information for every single policy on:
- Which employers the policy applies to
- Which employees the policy applies to
- Whether the policy is required or optional
- Special considerations
It’s like having a California employment lawyer on call, working on your handbook 24/7, at a fraction of the cost!
Best of all, we’ll send you a brand-new edition each year so that you always have the most up-to-date policies available. Don’t delay — order today and get your handbook up to date once and for all.
Download your free copy of 20 Must-Have Employee Handbook Policies today!