Yesterday, attorney Marc Jacuzzi spelled out some common pitfalls relating to employee handbooks. Today, we give you Jacuzzi’s detailed checklist of the policies he recommends your handbook include. We’ll also tell you about a valuable reference guide for the year to come.
Jacuzzi, a partner with Simpson, Garrity, Innes & Jacuzzi, PC, in South San Francisco, is a frequent speaker at ERI events and webinars. Here’s his handbook checklist:
Introductory Statements
___ Statement welcoming employees
___ Statement of employer’s right to amend handbook and benefits
___ Employees covered by handbook
___ History of the organization
___ Discussion of products and services
___ Company philosophy
Recruiting and Hiring
___ Equal employment opportunity commitment
___ Affirmative action (ONLY where applicable)
___ Prohibition against discrimination
___ Hiring and employment of relatives/persons with relationships
with employees
___ Posting policies
___ Promotions, transfers, reassignments
Organization and Structure
___ Locations
___ Organizational Hierarchy/org chart
___ Personnel/HR department
Training and Orientation
___ Application and Interview process
___ Hiring and selection process
___ Introductory period (do not say probationary period)
___ Pre-employment post offer examinations
___ Pre-employment post offer alcohol/drug screen
___ Injury and illness prevention
___ Trade secrets and confidential Information
___ Job description
___ Eligibility to work in the U.S.
Employee Classifications—Categories of Employment
___ Regular
___ Full-time
___ Part-time
___ Temporary
___ Seasonal
___ Per-Diem
___ On-Call (stand-by)
___ Exempt
___ Non-Exempt
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Compensation, Meal Periods and Rest Periods
___ Wages and salaries
___ Paydays
___ Place of wage payments
___ Pay period
___ Business Hours
___ Work Schedule
___ Overtime
___ Definition of workweek
___ Alternative work weeks
___ Make-up time
___ Rest periods
___ Meal periods
___ Meal period waiver/on-duty meal period
___ Other wages (tips, meal or lodging credits, gratuities)
Benefits
___ Introduction to benefits section
___ Disclaimer addressing conflicts between brief handbook
summaries and official plan documents
___ General description of benefits for eligible employees
___ Vacation
___ Holiday
___ Sick
___ Paid Time Off
___ Health Insurance
___ Dental
___ Optical
___ COBRA continuation coverage
___ Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
___ Accident and disability benefits
___ Life Insurance
___ Pension, profit sharing (401k, ESOP, etc.)
___ Cafeteria plan benefits under IRS Code Section 125
___ Deferred compensation plans
___ Stock options
___ Employee discounts
___ Education assistance
Other Leaves of Absence
___ Other medical (FML or not)
___ Pregnancy related disabilities
___ Work related disabilities
___ Family care*
___ Drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation
___ Other personal leave
___ Education
___ Military
___ Family military leave*
___ Bereavement
___ Jury duty
___ Volunteer firefighter*
___ Literacy education*
___ Time off for voting*
___ Time off for parents to visit child’s school*
___ Time off for parent to participate in school or day care activities*
___ Time off to appear as witness*
___ Time off for domestic violence victims*
*State specific rights—make sure you know the laws that apply in California, as well as any other states in which you do business.
Standards of Performance
___ Performance expectations
___ Examples of unacceptable conduct or behavior
___ Examples of type of discipline
___ Absenteeism
___ Dress or appearance requirements
___ Rules regarding solicitation and distribution
___ Firearms and weapons
___ Communication skills (including languages)
___ Outside employment
___ Confidential information/trade secrets
___ Employee expectation of privacy
___ Inspection of desk, lockers, tool boxes, etc.
___ Smoking rules
Dispute Resolution Policies
___ Open door policy
Time Cards/Timekeeping
___ Use of time-clocks
___ “Punching in” practice
___ Correction of mistake in notations or punches
___ Timecards are employer’s property
___ Unauthorized destruction, use or removal of cards
___ Falsification of information on time cards
___ Punching or recording on another employee’s card
___ Recording meal periods
___ Shifts
Termination Procedures
___ Advance notice resignation
___ Notice of Involuntary termination
___ Severance or other exit benefits
___ Return of company property
___ COBRA continuation coverage (update for ARRA)
___ Final paycheck
___ References/letters of reference or recommendation
Safety
___ IIPP
___ Commitment to safety statement
___ Disaster plan
___ Fire prevention
___ Reporting unsafe conditions
___ Emergency medical treatment
___ Good housekeeping
___ General security (locking doors, etc.)
___ Saving energy
Personnel Records
___ Contents
___ Property of employer
___ Confidentiality of medical records
___ Inspection of personnel file
___ Copy of personnel file
___ Copy of payroll records
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Drug/Alcohol Policies
___ Separate policy
Miscellaneous Policies and Provisions
___ Lockers
___ Supplies
___ Conference rooms
___ Business cards, stationery
___ Suggestion boxes
___ Duplicating services
___ Communications with the press or media
___ Newsletters or Intranet
___ Parking
___ Concluding statements
Employee Acknowledgment
Be sure employees acknowledge receipt of the handbook.
Stay Tuned
ERI will soon be releasing a comprehensive new employee handbook builder that you won’t want to be without, the California Employee Handbook Template. Stay tuned to future issues of CED for all the details.
Another Handbook You Should Consider Having
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