Amisha Domadiya
When onboarding a new employee consider giving them an employee handbook to represent key policies of your company, that will help them to adjust to a new workplace. It will also help to new hires to understand
What to and what not to behave.
Their rights and boundaries.
Workplace policies are necessary to set boundaries and guidelines. They facilitate thoughtful communication for employee productivity.
What is an employee handbook?
An employee handbook is document for employees, it consists of All legal policy of company, company’s history, mission and vision of company, values, ethics of company. An employee handbook is a formal written document through which you can set company culture that you envision for your organization.
Policies to include in employee handbook.
Workplace ethics policy
This policy gives an overview of workplace’s rules and regulations. It gives an idea to your employee about their day-to-day tasks, company’s working hours, break hours, overtime policy, time clocking and clock out policy, internet usage for personal matters.
Holidays and leave policy.
Leave can be of several types, Casual leave, Sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave. List and mention all leaves and holiday your employees can avail and take benefit. Apart from that also mention how to apply for leave.
Compensation and benefits policy
Mention all perks and benefits that your company offers in this policy. It can include flexible working hour, hybrid work culture, bonus options, health and insurance plans, wellness programs, social activities after working hour.
Code of conduct
Every workplace must possess some boundaries depending upon industry and work culture you thrive on. Discuss these confidential rules and data protection schemas if your new employee is ging to manage company’s sensitive data like
Important code and documents
Which information is classified as confidential
How to share and secure confidential data and information
Performance Review policy
Every employee needs to know the purpose and way employee performance review will be conducted. Explain this process to every new hires very clearly. It often includes.
- Frequency of employee appraisal
- Criteria and metrics on which performance review will be conducted.
- Goals to acquire for every department of your organization.
Also mention what to do if performance of an individual is not carried out as expected.
IT and communication policies
Tools and gadgets like– laptops, smartphones, IP phones, etc are provided by company to their employees in some cases. Explain your company’s operation policy for IT means. Also, explain operation policy for communication tools that are used in company like social media, the internet in general, other collaboration tools.
Questions every new hires need to ask while joining a company:
- What are expectations for my position in your company.
- What will be my roles and responsibilities after joining your company.
- What is mission and vision of company.
- What will be my main objectives for first one week.
- Whom will I be reporting my daily tasks.
- Which tools and gadgets do you use to get projects done.
- What will be my daily tasks.
- How often do you want me to get you updates.
Why asking questions on your first day is important.
While joining a new company and giving your career a boost, you need to be assured about your designation, roles and responsibilities, your reporting manager, hierarchy of company. Knowing these terms will help you to better understand company culture and values. Asking such questions while starting a new position shows that you are committed to being successful and ready to make long term commitment with company.
