If you have any employees, have a state-specific employee handbook. As you grow your small business, employees can be your greatest asset or the absolute bane of your existence. Approaching employing other people proactively from the get-go maximizes your chances of the former.
Often small businesses have a “family” feel to them – either because people are literally related, because the owners intentionally try to treat their staff “like family,” or simply by the dynamics of having a small workforce. This should not mean that there is an absence of procedural structure. Having policies in place is like having rules for children. You wouldn’t let your kids stay up until midnight on a school night because it’s the “family” thing to do, so why would you your employees come in to work half an hour late even though customers are waiting, without reproach? Rules are not just good for the company; they are good for the workers. Psychologists tell us that children feel safe when they have certain rules that are consistently enforced; the same is true with employees.
Going through the process of creating an employee handbook also forces you to think through some important – but not front-and-center -- aspects of your business. Will we be closed on holidays? What is our sick leave policy? How many times can an employee be late to work before she’s fired? What’s our dress code? Is it ok to use the computer to surf the internet when there’s down time? Employees cannot read your mind; you have to actually tell them what you expect of them.
At TW&A we can help you put together an employee handbook and examine all of your major employment policies in a much more cost-effective way than you might imagine. Setting out your expectations in this format, and abiding by the policies, will drastically reduce your chances of having, or losing, a lawsuit, and it will also contribute to a more productive work environment. To speak with a lawyer at our firm, call (706) 621-4665, or contact us by e-mail.
