An employee handbook can act as the first line of defense against lawsuits and liability claims. An employee handbook is created to outline company guidelines, policies, and behaviors. This helps to create an employee-employer understanding of what is expected vs what is owed and ultimately protects employers and employees.

To benefit from the protection an employee handbook offers, it is vital to create and keep an updated version that includes important policies and communications, and the most recent federal and state guidelines.

As an business owner, now is a good time to create or update your employee handbook to accurately reflect your policies and up-to-date federal and state compliances. Light Path Law can create and/or update an employee handbook that consists of, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Introducing employees to your culture, mission, and values
• Informing employees about what they can expect from leadership
• Ensuring key policies are reinforced and communicated consistently
• Acting as a reference point for leadership and employees
• Reviewing entitlements under state and federal law
• Informing employees how to seek assistance when questions or issues arise.
• Reviewing employee’s responsibilities regarding safety

We recommend an annual review of your employment handbook. Light Path Law, P.A. can develop an employment handbook that addresses the below key elements:

Compliance:

• At-will employment clause
• EEO statement
• Conflict of interest policy
• Confidentiality policy

Conduct:

• Dress code
• Anti-discrimination policy
• Anti-harassment policy
• Substance-free policy
• Disciplinary action policy

Workplace Guidelines:

• Work hours
• Work-from-home policy
• Lunch & break periods
• Workplace safety
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Use of company equipment
• Electronic communication (social media, e-mail, etc.)
• Company credit card policy

Communication:

• Pay periods
• Pay deductions
• Job classifications
• Bonuses
• Performance reviews
• Promotions and transfers
• Travel expenses

Time Away:

• PTO/Vacations
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Parental Leave
• FMLA
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Jury duty
• Voting
• Military
• Personal leave of absence
• Unpaid leave of absence

Additionally, Light Path Law offers an annual service, at affordable fee, to update any federal and state compliance updates throughout a given calendar year.

Please contact us at (239) 689-8481 to schedule your consult today!