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<div class="mce-toc">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gb">What is an Employee Handbook?</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gc">What are the Benefits of an Employee Handbook?</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gd">Steps to Creating an Employee Handbook</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi58q8h6ge">Autonomous Employee Purchase Program</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gf">Wrap-up</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p dir="ltr">As companies are established, they hire employees in small numbers.&nbsp; When small numbers are hired, it is easier to manage them as most are connected individually. Communicating policy changes and networking is easy because of the limited number of folks to communicate with. As a company expands with increasing business, newer ways of working, or the organization culture, starts to develop.</p>
<p dir="ltr">An employee handbook is like a starter's manual for most new hires. It helps them know what the company's goals are. In addition, most employee handbooks talk about the story of the organization.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Let us deep dive to understand more about the employee handbook.</p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gb" dir="ltr">What is an Employee Handbook?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">An employee handbook aims to help new hires settle down at the workplace quicker. It familiarizes them with what the company stands for, its mission, vision, goals.&nbsp; An employee handbook definition includes what is expected out of a new hire.&nbsp; Hence, you will find most company employee handbooks talking to a new employee. They highlight various policies, including perks and benefits and how to claim them. In addition, an employee handbook may describe procedures like reimbursements, tax savings, and other portals.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Various sections of an employee handbook may lay out different policies against discrimination. These could range from physical, sexual to harassment and more. Another section is attributed to helpful information like emergency telephone numbers, whom to contact in specific situations, department or section head's name, and contact details.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Some companies detail sections to those specially challenged physically or mentally. Such employees can expect to find information on how to access areas. It may contain information for special situations. Other details could include the location of especially accessible corridors and elevators.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of course, employee handbook ideas depend a lot on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/why-is-supportive-organizational-culture-important">importance of an organizational culture</a> of a company.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Remember that an employee handbook is a legal document in many countries.&nbsp; Regular audits may require companies to show proof of having distributed these.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Do read our research on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/the-benefit-of-social-awareness-to-emotional-intelligence">social awareness and emotional intelligence</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gc" dir="ltr">What are the Benefits of an Employee Handbook?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Joining a new company can be an exhausting task. For the first few weeks, they have much information to soak in. At times, remembering new information isn't easy. So an introduction to a company that's new for a new hire is vital.&nbsp; These could aim to reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/what-are-social-work-stress-effects-how-to-reduce">social work stress</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Most employee handbooks are aimed at providing a new hire with information in one place. Most employee handbooks are aimed at helping employees settle down quickly. This helps in employees being productive as soon as they are settled in. An employee handbook benefits employees and employers both in setting out expectations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Once the basic hygiene factors are understood, employees are expected to agree on their work goals and routine with their supervisors. Finally, it sets out a tone for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace">cultural diversity in the workplace</a>.</p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gd" dir="ltr">Steps to Creating an Employee Handbook</h2>
<p dir="ltr">If you haven't yet made an employee handbook, you don't have to worry.&nbsp; Here are a few steps to begin with.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Step 1: Introduce the Company</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Most employee handbooks would have an introduction to the company.&nbsp; What is the company's mission? Why was the company formed? What does it expect to contribute to society?</p>
<p dir="ltr">What is the history of the company? How long have they been in existence? Who founded it?&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">While sharing the history of a company, many employee handbooks showcase important milestones. These are important achievements that they have achieved in the past. This has helped them shape their brand.&nbsp; With this information shared with employees, companies expect that they can influence and direct the energy of new hires in the right direction.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is just like meeting someone for the first time in a business meeting.&nbsp; You may have prepared to gather information from various sources, including media, social media, and more. However, getting a first-hand account from the person you meet holds more vital information to understand the other person.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In more recent times, most employee handbooks have become digital.&nbsp; Technology advancements have enabled enrich employee joining experiences. Processes have modernized from using artificial intelligence and bots to welcoming a new hire.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">You may find companies sending out digital employee handbooks or links in a welcome email much before the joining date of an employee. In addition, you may retain certain legal and proprietary information for a follow-up or volume 2 on the date of joining.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Step 2: Explain Policies and Benefits</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Employee handbooks usually detail the employee benefits and perks offered at various levels.&nbsp; Employee handbook guidelines are customized to ensure that a new hire gets only information about his level. Any generic information on employee benefits and perks is avoided.&nbsp; Any such information could set incorrect expectations. For example, an executive joining the company may not be entitled to a lunch reimbursement when meeting clients. This may be more apt for a Manager or a Director level employee.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Policies lay down the correct procedures for any process.&nbsp; When shared with new hires, it becomes obligatory for any new hire to follow them. There could be several new things to be adhered to. Retaining all this information is certainly a challenge to any newcomer.&nbsp; Hence, detailing them in an employee handbook helps employees to fall back to a reference book.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Perks and benefits help the employee know how to follow the procedures. These could include reimbursements for a client meeting or travel for work. Many employee handbooks detail any payment cycles and turnaround time to set expectations for new hires. &nbsp; Don't forget sections on fire drills, handling special situations, doctor's office, and how to access it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Remember to include how employees could benefit from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/a-guide-to-safe-use-of-social-media-in-the-workplace">social media in the workplace</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Step 3: Validation</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Remember that an employee handbook guide holds legal information being shared with a new hire.&nbsp; Apart from checks and management approvals, ensure you have taken a legal counsel&rsquo;s approval. This would ensure that no information is misrepresented by error or otherwise.&nbsp; A legal view also ensures that mandatory information shared with a new hire is not missed out.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Step 4: Distribution</h3>
<p dir="ltr">As you prepare to welcome a new batch of employees, ensure you have checked on the best way to distribute these. Technology has advanced, and presenting employee handbooks in a digital format is the in thing.&nbsp; It helps you present information that attracts new employees. In addition, Digital formats may be easier to distribute, store and access.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Step 5: Recording Receipt</h3>
<p dir="ltr">When deciding on whether you want to go manual or digital on employee handbooks, ensure that every new hire has access to read a digital employee handbook. Why? Employees can always claim they didn't have access to or the time to read one. In addition, some companies require employees to sign a declaration that they have received, read the employee handbooks, and follow the procedures.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;And hey, pronto, your new employees are ready to begin their journey to new successes!</p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi58q8h6ge">Autonomous Employee Purchase Program</h2>
<p>Elevate your workspace and well-being with exclusive savings up to 25% OFF on top-notch ergonomic furniture through our innovative program. Simply log in with your work email to unlock this golden opportunity. Enhance productivity and comfort with premium selections including standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and office accessories. Invest in your work environment and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more efficient workspace.</p>
<p>Don't miss out on this incredible offer &ndash; Act now and take the first step towards a more ergonomic and enjoyable work experience! Click to save and transform your workspace today! #WorkSmartLiveBetter #EmployeePerks</p>
<p><a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/"></a></p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi58q8h6gf" dir="ltr">Wrap-up</h2>
<p dir="ltr">As you sit down to write an employee handbook, remember it could make or break the new hire process a success. Why? Any employee handbook is more like an ambassador of the organization. It talks volumes about the culture, quality, and more about an organization. So here is wishing you success in writing an employee handbook.</p>

10+ years experience in HR field. My mission? Bridging the gap between people & businesses for success. I'm here to create happier, more productive teams.

Aisha Jackson

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Employee Onboarding

An employee handbook aims to help new hires settle down at the workplace quicker. It familiarizes them with what the company stands for, its mission, vision, goals.  An employee handbook definition includes what is expected out of a new hire.

What is an Employee Handbook?

Most employee handbooks are aimed at providing a new hire with information in one place. Most employee handbooks are aimed at helping employees settle down quickly. This helps in employees being productive as soon as they are settled in.

What are the Benefits of an Employee Handbook?

What is an employee handbook? How do they add value to a company and a new hire? How do you write and create a new employee handbook? Read on to know more!

Employee Handbook: Definition, Benefits & Guide to Create

<div class="mce-toc">
<h2>Table of Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp0">Five Steps to an Efficient Employee Benefits Program</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp1">Autonomous Employee Purchase Program</a></li>
<li><a href="#mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp2">Wrap-up</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p dir="ltr">An employee benefits program is your strategic tool to attract and retain your talent as an employer.&nbsp; What are the benefits?&nbsp; Firstly, as you seek to attract new talent, the employee benefits program must be appealing to fresh graduates. Why? So that your company stands out of the competition as a top company to join and people look forward to it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Secondly, as a strategy, you are using the EBO to reduce and minimize the cost of hiring and training people. You are probably aware that it may take up to several weeks to make a new employee productive. There are many variables involved.&nbsp; Hence, having an employee benefits program has to be carefully thought through. Participation in employee surveys and market benchmarking is critical to ensure you don&rsquo;t run up costs on employee benefits programs. &nbsp; Having an employee benefits program though critical, is also an expensive affair.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Here are four customized and simple steps to consider when setting up an efficient employee benefits program.</p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp0" dir="ltr">Five Steps to an Efficient Employee Benefits Program</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr">1. Goals</h3>
<p dir="ltr">While most employers use an employee benefits program to attract and retain talent, what are your company&rsquo;s main objectives?&nbsp; Often, at this stage, if your goals aren't clear, one could easily be misled into offering employees a bouquet of benefits that may not be really necessary.&nbsp; Establishing goals with concrete plans would be helpful to have. This needs finer and detailed calculations on the return on investment, whether it is monetary or subjective. Clarified goals will lead to the best employee benefits program policy for your company.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">2. Freezing on a Budget</h3>
<p dir="ltr">A budget is a set amount that you have decided that is required to offer an employee benefits plan. You will need to work on the finer details of a cost analysis per employee. You will need to make certain assumptions as you work on your proposal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It is important to consider the major ticket items like the mandated benefits that any state or federal government laws demand. Once you have made a provision for the major and most necessary items, you may consider offering benefits.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Budget calculations are not guesstimates. They are finer working calculations that add up to show a number against various heads like compensation, insurance, retirement (or 401K) plans, unemployment insurance, and others. There are many interlinked variables to consider. An essential factor is to know the clear title and the type of legal entity that your organization has.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As numbers stack up, other elements like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/employee-retention-a-key-to-success">employee retention</a>, cost of hiring as per employee levels, and more will need to be added. This is detailed work. It will require you to spend a few weeks to close. Be prepared to get into various details.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A useful tip is to present the budget as a minimum amount&mdash;next, build-in layers of additional items.&nbsp; The most important factor is to showcase a cost-benefits-analysis to help your company&rsquo;s leadership to make a decision.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The latest report released by the US Department of Labor is a good place to start as a base. Their report gives you an estimate of the industry trend of the most employee benefits programs that employers pay and where the employees co-pay.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">3. Build-in Mandated Benefits</h3>
<p dir="ltr">You must have expertise on the current rules and regulations of the law of the land.&nbsp; What does the state or central rules state? What are the bare minimum thresholds you must maintain so as to keep on the right side of the law? What are the costs for such benefits? What is your finance policy on managing these costs? Are they being linked to each employee hired, or do the budgets sit in a common pool managed by a support function like human resources?</p>
<p dir="ltr">The most common benefits mandated by state and federal laws are to provide for Social Security, Workers Compensation, and Insurance. Some of these even insure your company and its executives against indemnities that may arise from any accidents in the office that involve employees.&nbsp; Keep these as a priority.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As you plan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/benefits-to-retain-employees-instead-of-recruiting">employee perks to attract talents</a>, some of these mandated benefits are explained below.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h4 dir="ltr"><b>Retirement Saving</b></h4>
<p dir="ltr">Employers are required to contribute a particular amount for an employee's retirement.&nbsp; Employers must make a deduction in employees' salaries and add between five to twenty-five percent of their compensation as employer share. This amount is contributed to retirement options like the 401(k). This also assists employees as this amount may not be taxable at the hands of employees.</p>
<h4 dir="ltr"><b>Health Savings Accounts</b></h4>
<p dir="ltr">Based on the state or federal laws, companies are required to contribute to employee welfare to such health savings plans. Often referred to as HSA, this budget is used to buy health insurance for employees.&nbsp; This policy covers medical insurance for employees in case of hospitalization. Usually, domiciliary expenses are not covered. Many companies require employees to contribute to such health savings accounts.</p>
<h4 dir="ltr"><b>Life or Disability Insurance</b></h4>
<p dir="ltr">An important element from the company's perspective, such insurance plans are built in to cover both the employer and the employee. Such insurance covers employees from any disability, temporary or permanent, from accidents at the workplace or in the course of duty. Employers benefit as it reduces their liability in the event of unforeseen circumstances.</p>
<h4 dir="ltr"><b>Paid Time Off</b></h4>
<p dir="ltr">An important employee benefits program example is to include paid time off employees.&nbsp; Such paid time off is for holidays that are mandated at a minimum number by the law of the land.&nbsp; This is considered to be healthy as it gives employees an <a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/what-is-effective-breaktime-and-how-does-it-increase-your-team-productivity">effective breaktime</a> and rejuvenates them from work. This creates a good <a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/benefits-of-work-life-balance">work-life balance</a> too.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Paid time off may include leave for unforeseen sickness like flu. It could also include personal chores like having to pick up children from school or more.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">4. Additional Non-Mandatory Benefits</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Companies offer numerous benefits, including an employee benefits cafeteria plan.&nbsp; These could vary depending upon your company's goals.&nbsp; The ultimate aim is to make their employees' lives easier and better.&nbsp; For example, to make work from home during the pandemic easier, companies announced an&nbsp;employee purchase program. This helped employees set up a home office to be productive.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Many other companies offer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/employee-purchase-program">perks for work from home</a>, including office accessories and office tech products.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Remember to showcase the return on investment expected for your proposals.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">5. Revamp</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Most companies fail on the employee benefits program offered when they choose service providers who aren&rsquo;t the best to save a few dollars. Service providers need to be responsive to the end customers, your employees. Choose wisely.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/ourblog/employee-perks-for-small-business">Employee perks for small businesses</a> may not be elaborate. However, if you stay on the top of your game by continually reviewing the employee benefits program, you cannot be far behind. You would have noticed that the industry is moving at an extremely fast pace, and this VUCA world could turn things upside down if you don't stay abreast of things.</p>
<p dir="ltr"></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/office-furniture-bulk-orders"></a></p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp1">Autonomous Employee Purchase Program</h2>
<p>Elevate your workspace and well-being with exclusive savings up to 25% OFF on top-notch ergonomic furniture through our innovative program. Simply log in with your work email to unlock this golden opportunity. Enhance productivity and comfort with premium selections including standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and office accessories. Invest in your work environment and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more efficient workspace.</p>
<p>Don't miss out on this incredible offer &ndash; Act now and take the first step towards a more ergonomic and enjoyable work experience! Click to save and transform your workspace today! #WorkSmartLiveBetter #EmployeePerks</p>
<p><a href="https://www.autonomous.ai/"></a></p>
<h2 id="mcetoc_1hi59fhlqp2" dir="ltr">Wrap-up</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Setting up an employee benefits program is an important employee value proposition for your company.&nbsp; Numerous interlinked variables play an important role in deciding the final offerings. Ensure that you do a fine job by getting into the details. You must stay ahead in the marketplace by participating in employee compensation and benefits benchmarking surveys. With these five simple steps, you have ensured the right employee benefits package for your company.</p>

Are you looking to set up efficient employee benefits programs? Where do you begin? What are the important steps for you to consider? Read on for more details.

Simple Steps to Set up an Efficient Employee Benefits Program

Employee Onboarding - Latest updates on news, tips and tricks of Employee Onboarding

Employee Onboarding - Autonomous Blog