How to Draft an Employee Handbook
The information provided and the opinions expressed in this monograph are solely those of the author. Neither the State Bar of Texas
nor the author are rendering legal, accounting or professional advice and assume no liability in connection with the suggestions,
opinions, or products mentioned.
Introduction
An Employee Handbook should be tailored to the individual needs of the employer and the employer's management style.
It is to be used as a guideline and should never be interpreted as a form of an Employment Contract. These guidelines are
utilized by both the employee and employer as a means to ensure consistency in matters of office policy.
Your initial steps should include:
1) Determining the Purpose of the Handbook
• Recruitment information
• Referral source for employees, ie., history of the firm, etc.
• Standardization of policies and procedures to ensure consistent application of work rules
• Legal compliance with non-discriminatory laws and Worker's Compensation and OSHA
• Brief guidelines providing information to employees while preserving flexibility
2) Instructional Information that Everyone can Follow:
• Be careful to cover all employees equally
• Be clear and concise in developing and implementing office policies that you and/or your firm's management can
follow
• Clearly define "full-time", "part-time" and "temporary" employees and what benefits may or may not apply to
each. Refrain from using the term "permanent employee".
• Remember that Texas is an employment-at-will state, unless a written Employment Contract is entered into.
• Do not attempt to make policies so comprehensive that they can be assumed to cover every conceivable situation.
Leave flexibility in your policies and procedures.
• Use accent words such as "may", "can" and "generally", rather than words such as "will" or "must".
Topics Generally Contained In An Employee Handbook
Introduction
Welcome, Organization of Firm, Mission Statement
Employment Policies
Equal Employment Opportunities, Sexual Harassment & Complaint Procedures, Anti-Nepotism Policy, Orientation
Program, Transfer/Promotions Policy, Privacy Rights, Personnel Records, Emergency and Safety Procedures.
Compensation Policies
Classification of Employment Levels, Provisionary Status, Work Hours/Office Hours, Part-Time and Temporary
Employees, Payroll Procedures, (1) Overtime Procedures, (2) Bonus Plans, (3) Request for Driving Record and Employee
Performance Evaluations.
Time-Off Benefits
Vacation, Holidays, Personal Time, Sick Leave, Death/Illness in Family, Jury Duty, Voting/Election Rights, Military
Leave
Group Health & Related Benefits
Employee Benefit Programs, Health Insurance, Basic Life Insurance, Disability Plans, Workers Compensation or Non-
Subscriber Status, Dental Insurance, and Retirement Plan.