Every employer who has ever faced the seemingly daunting task of preparing an employee handbook or updating existing policies knows how overwhelming the process may seem. From ensuring the policies are exhaustive to analyzing whether they comply with the law in your state, the task may seem like a big project. Handbook and policy compliance is an essential aspect of doing business because, should the employer face a lawsuit where its policies are at issue, the handbook may be used as favorable evidence to argue the company's compliance with the law. Furthermore, handbooks and policies guide our leaders to comply with applicable law. Below are some tips for employers when reviewing their policies and procedures:

1. Mirror Language from Prevailing Law. A good practice when preparing written policies is to review the applicable law and mirror that language. There are other great resources to review, including applicable wage orders, administrative laws, and your state's applicable governing agency. Using language from the prevailing law in your state will be key.
2. Use Headings and a Table of Contents. Having these organizational elements in your handbook is helpful not just when the employer faces litigation and must quickly search for applicable policy, but also for the employer's day-to-day business when needing to easily refer to policy. It benefits everyone to make your handbook easy to use.
3. Include an Introduction. While the employer may find itself revisiting the...

Read Full Story: https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/employee-rights-labour-relations/1185060/...