October 18, 2021, by HR Search & Rescue With many of our recent clients, we have noticed that there are specific types of employee handbook styles that are more tailored to certain industries. Some companies need a more culture-focused handbook to define the types of communication and work policies that complex modern workforces need. 3 Different Types Of Employee Handbooks On the other hand, some companies may need a more straightforward, general handbook that outlines basic principles of conduct, dress code, benefits, and others. But which type of handbook is right for your business? Read on to learn more about some of the most common types of employee handbooks and which of these may apply to your industry: Culture-Based Handbooks Defining the culture of your company can seem like a daunting task. While there is a lot that goes into defining the culture of your business, understanding the role of workforce culture within your business is crucial. Adopting a culture-based approach can help your business define the expected behaviors, communication methods, and accepted remote work policies that fit into your model. Every employee should understand and demonstrate your culture every day based on what you include in this manual. These handbooks are especially useful for modern companies with unique work environments such as tech companies, engineering firms, and other high-level, creative workplaces. General Info Handbooks No matter how similar they may seem on the surface, companies conduct business in different ways. This is your chance to let new employees know “how things work around here” while also reminding current employees of what is expected of them. You can write about how meetings are expected to run, how people should communicate, or what unique processes you employ to reinforce the values that define your culture. For a more readable, engaging handbook, we recommend trying to write simple, to-the-point summaries using a conversational and human tone. Depending on your culture, you can adopt a unique tone that reflects your company values. Case-Specific Handbooks Some companies may require employee handbooks that are unique to certain positions within the organization or that are specific to a certain situation. For example, these could include handbooks that explain how to handle discrimination cases, medical benefits/questions, or other more specific use cases. These use cases can vary by industry, and each business should consider the unique handbooks that may add value to their employee resources. Another thing to consider is that a lot of case-specific content is created to ensure compliance with federal or state laws. These are typically added to a handbook to protect both employers and employees from lawsuits and to protect everyone’s rights. In these cases, you should have a lawyer help guide you on what sections are relevant to your business. How To Know Which Handbook Is Right For You In order to find the type of handbook that is best for your needs, try to consider the following: What type of workforce does my company have? Does your workforce consist of a team of creative problem-solvers, or are tasks at your company more technical and guided? How your teams work together and individually can help you decide what type of approach to take. How can I make employees’ lives easier? The main purpose of the employee handbook is to get managers and employees on the same page. Try to help employees understand what is expected of them on their first few days, how they are expected to collaborate/communicate, and what privileges they have. Depending on this role and the type of culture you champion, you will have multiple approaches to defining these terms. How can I maximize efficiency? How you decide to organize your workforce and maximize the efficiency in your workforce is important — and how you define it in your handbook is equally as important. Make sure it is easy for employees to understand the work term arrangements such as expected hours, amount of productivity and the pace of work, remote work policies, etc. In addition to covering laws and regulations, the greatest employee handbooks all have one thing in common: They’re unique. They have a strategic, original voice and tone that help employees remember what they read. A great employee handbook usually only requires one to read and understand who a company is and what they are all about. Some companies are now even opting to create both employee handbooks AND culture books, while others still choose to combine both into one extensive book. Need Help Figuring Out Which Option Is Best? HR Search and Rescue is a trusted consulting firm for employers, employees, and HR professionals. Our team of experts takes pride in its ability to promote a safe and healthy work environment for employees, managers, HR directors, and executives alike. Contact us online to get started with our employee handbook services today.
