Employee Handbooks Are a Useful Communication Tool

Running a small business means wearing many hats. Human Resources and Safety functions usually ends up at the bottom of the to-do list until something goes wrong. The good news is that many HR and Safety problems can be prevented with a little bit of planning and consistent practices. My goal is to help small business owners understand the basics without unnecessary complexity.

One of the biggest mistakes I see after more than 28 years of experience in HR and workplace safety is waiting until there is a problem before creating a process. Whether you are hiring new employees, managing their performance, or updating policies, simple documentation and clear communication can go a long way towards protecting your employees and business.

A great starting place is reviewing your current practices. Does your employee handbook, policies, documents, and conversations you have with your employees make sense to a new employee, or create confusion? Do you onboard new hires and give them the "tools" they need to perform well in their new position? Having an employee handbook is a great place to start to communicate all this information clearly and consistently to all of your employees.

An employee handbook typically covers:

• Company information and culture

• Federal and State legal requirements

• Specific company policies and procedures

• Benefit information

Employee handbooks are given to and reviewed with new hires so the company and the employee are "on the same page". This makes communication and setting expectations with your employees simpler. Employee handbooks can start with a few policies and grow as the company grows and should be reviewed at least annually since Federal and State compliance laws are always changing.

You don't have to be an HR expert to run a successful business. Knowing when to ask questions and getting guidance before issues become too big or too expensive can save time, money, and stress. It can reduce legal liability for your company.

Simple Solutions HR Consulting LLC partners with small businesses in Oregon and Washington State to provide practical HR and safety guidance that makes compliance and people management simpler. If you are unsure where to start, a review of your current HR and safety practices is a great place to begin. I provide complimentary consultations to small business owners to start the conversation and see where I can come along side you and your business to provide support and expertise.

I look forward to working with you!