An Employee Handbook is an important tool for both employers and employees. California has extensive and complicated labor laws that change each year. Employers are responsible for staying up to date with these yearly changes. While you are not legally required to have a Handbook, Employers are still required to notify employees of workplace policies and certain legal rights that employees are entitled to. An Employee Handbook can assist with this to ensure that your company is compliant with these requirements. A Handbook also helps you, as a business owner, consistently apply California Labor Laws across your workforce to avoid claims of discrimination and retaliation.
As the employment laws change each year and your workforce may increase or decrease, it is important that your current employees, and future employees, have a clear understanding of your company policies, and that you communicate to each employee these polices and their rights. This requires you, as the employer, as well as your managers and supervisors, to know what those policies are and how to properly apply them. Each year we see more and more lawsuits against employers, whether the facts are true or not, a lawsuit can be brought against you. By having an up to date Employee Handbook and ensuring your workplace policies are legally compliant, businesses are provided an initial level of protection against potential litigation. But having policies, then understanding them, and following your own polices (and make policies you can follow) is key.
To learn more about creating legal policies that work for your company, the handbook process, or to set up a compliance audit with the knowledgeable Employer Lawyers at Chauvel & Glatt call 650-573-9500.
This material in this article, provided by Chauvel & Glatt, is designed to provide informative and current information as of the date of the post. It should not be considered, nor is it intended to constitute legal advice. For information on your particular circumstances, please contact Chauvel & Glatt at 650-573-9500 for legal assistance near you. (photo credit: depositphotos.com).
