If performing a temperature check on multiple individuals, the screener should change their gloves and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol between each employee. Small business health insurance is typically for businesses with 2–50 employees. All you need to do is provide a statement that encompasses what matters most to you as a company. That’s a bad idea. It can also be for small business employees where the employer offers health insurance options. Photo Credit. These include the right to a written contract, an itemised pay slip, to be paid at least the national minimum wage, the right to at least 28 days paid holidays (including bank holidays) and, in some cases, paid matern… Read why you need one and how to create it. These are the essential employee policies for any small business: 1. This article is an excerpt from ComplyRight’s “Covering the Bases: A Beginner’s Guide to Employment Law.” You can download the entire e-guide here. Your email address will not be published. 1. Some of the basic things to consider and make sure that you adhere to include the statutory rightsof an employee. Our direct brands include HRdirectapps.com (simple and smart online HR software), PosterTracker.com (complete range of ComplyRight posting solutions), efile4biz.com (online 1099, W-2 and ACA form processing), and HRdirect.com (leading provider of ComplyRight HR products). [Infographic] Gusto Editors . Include language on how to report a concern, and provide the names of two individuals within the company who can be trusted to handle complaints properly and confidentially. It also helps put you on firm legal footing. (Be sure to provide training for those individuals.) Log in. By having policies and processes in place, you create standards and values for your business. Every company that uses computers, email, the internet, and software on a daily basis should have information technology (IT) policies in place. Creating Employee Policies How and when do I request time off? For example, California employers must have a written harassment, discrimination and retaliation prevention policy. Employment policies (UK) There are some important policies your business will need to be compliant with British law. Payroll: Employee lawsuits claiming incorrect pay are on the rise. Also, incorporate an anti-retaliation statement and this language, “We will keep your complaint as confidential as possible under the circumstances.” This provides the necessary leeway to conduct a thorough investigation. 10 Company Policies Every Small Business Should Consider. The same thing can happen when an employee needs to go on leave. This handbook is intended to assist you in creating your own custom employee handbook. DISCLAIMER: This selection of sample policies is for general information only – it is not intended as legal advice. Non-contact thermometers should be cleaned and … Human Resources Policies for Small & Medium Businesses. Equality and diversity. Find out what your local laws are, and make sure they’re covered in your policy. But what if you’re starting from scratch? Time Off/PTO: A proper time-off policy will cover expected work hours, attendance expectations and paid holidays. Many people might think that small businesses can get away without one. Federal law does not currently require small businesses to provide employees with paid time off (PTO). However, with a record low unemployment rate in the U.S., 1  a good benefits package can be essential to attracting and retaining talent for your business, and a competitive benefits program includes paid time off. Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. FFCRA covers certain public employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees. To ensure your employees take the time off they need to be productive, you need to select a model and create a policy that works for both employees and your small business. Read more, While you might not be ready to hire an HR specialist for your business, you should be prepared to handle a few key aspects of human resource management. It should include definitions of exempt and non-exempt employee classifications, as well as details on your pay period, payday, overtime-authorization rules and any meal/rest break guidelines for hourly employees. Going from no written policies to a detailed employee handbook can be overwhelming. Paychex subsidiary SurePayroll recently conducted a survey of 259 small business owners to find out how much paid time off they offer employees, and three-quarters of respondents said 10 days or less. These are: Equal opportunities. Some small to medium sized businesses have undocumented paid time off (PTO) policies simply because they’re not sure where to start. Martin Marinov April 5, 2018 Issuing credit cards to employees is a trust based exercise. Be as clear as possible when writing your company attendance policy. Employers count on their employees to use their credit cards appropriately and not abuse the privilege. Certain policies are mandatory and must be included in your employee handbook. Hope this provides a nice starting point for an attendance policy should you need one. Use this employee handbook template and NFIB’s detailed sample employee handbook to create your own. Read more. The actual polices and procedures of your business may vary due to the size of the company, the number of employees, benefits offered and other factors. 2. Business policies also help create a safe workplace, providing employees with options for reporting any issues that arise. Rules of Conduct: Your conduct policy can set expectations on everything from dress code and customer interaction to personal use of company equipment and social media. Get more tips on interviewing, hiring, managing and engaging your employees. Employee Handbook Model Policies. You should also explain how payroll deductions are handled for time off (which will likely differ for exempt and nonexempt employees). Employee handbooks are an important tool for business owners. A good one should help employees get to know you, lay out your policies and procedures, and act as the cornerstone for building a killer company culture. Keep a copy of the signed acknowledgment in the personnel file, or a date and time stamp on an electronic acknowledgment. Copyright © 2021 SCORE Association, www.score.org, How to Create an Employee Handbook for Your Small Business: The Ultimate Guide, Basics of Human Resources You Should Know, Need more information? Identify key processes and tasks in your business, and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each. That's why you need to lay out those aims at the beginning of your employee handbook. Small Businesses and Employee Handbooks: Where Do You Stand? All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. In small businesses, employees are used to wearing many hats and pitching in when roles are open. Effective business policies must be specific … In addition to laying the ground rules for your workplace, your conduct policy should include this phrase: “And any other management rules.” This covers you if a rule is broken that is not specifically listed on the policy. Contact thermometers need to be cleaned and disinfected after each screened employee according to manufacturer’s instructions and facility policies. Written policies are a great way to protect yourself, while also providing a safe, fair working environment for your employees. What are general work rules? An employee handbook is like the user manual to your company. Depending on the size and location of your business, it may be illegal to discriminate or harass workers based on gender, race, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity or even political affiliation. That’s why all businesses must have a formal payroll policy. 4. Putting company rules in writing helps set expectations and reduces misunderstandings. One of the top motivations for businesses to create an employee handbook is to train new hires. ComplyRight creates practical products and services to help small businesses complete essential HR and tax reporting tasks in an efficient and legally sound manner. Many small businesses understand the importance and value of having policies and procedures in place, while some small businesses see having formal policies and procedures as a process that is too “corporate” or “stuffy” for their organizations.. Neither the State of Missouri nor its employees make any express or implicit warranty regarding the sufficiency, accuracy or completeness of … If no contract exists, a worker’s status is likely at-will. Visit our Contact Us Page. Leave policies should be flexible and non-punitive, and allow sick employees to stay home and away from co-workers. This helps ensure compliance with employment legislation and acts as the first line of defence if an employee brings a claim against the company. Businesses are complicated operations, regardless of size. The NFIB Legal Foundation is pleased to provide you with this Model Employee Handbook for Small Business. Like I said earlier, the very nature of small businesses actually makes it easier for them to be more flexible and allow for more time away during leave periods. As always, if you are looking for help developing this policy or an entire employee handbook, I’d be happy to assist. 10 Quick Tips for Small Businesses Starting a business? Discipline/dismissal and grievance. Does it roll over to the next year? How does my time off accrue? Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy If you want your business to function properly, you need your employees to actually show up. At-Will Employment: Employment status generally falls into two categories: "contractual” and “at-will.”. Time-off policies themselves tend to fall into one of three broad groups: Employees get a fixed number of vacation days at the beginning of a work year. The general work rules are a list of minimum acceptable standards of conduct expected of all company employees. Comprehensive workplace policies safeguard a business against risk. They can also improve the way your customers and staff deal with your business. These rights cover a multitude of directives and responsibilities for the employer to adhere to. Company Policies (General Work Rules) Sample is available free to download, customize, print for your small business HR Department. It should also answer these common employee questions: Do I get separate sick days and vacation days? What happens if I don’t use my time? For More HR Examples like Sample Small Business Attendance Policies and Company Employee Tardiness Policies: Putting guidelines in place is the best way to eliminate any misunderstandings that may arise between employees and management … Formal personnel policies also protect your business in the event of an employee dispute. ... An “employee” of [Company Name] is a person who regularly works for [Company Name] on a This section may include your: 1. Build the Best Team for Your Small Business, Cross Training Staff – Doing the Right Thing For the Wrong Reasons, Proactive Employee Management Really Boils Down To The Basics, Office Meetings Do Not Have To Be A Productivity Time Drain If Done Right, Proposed Changes To Employee Rights Laws: WAGE Act Bill, Performance Appraisals for Small Business – Why You Need To Be On Board, 10 Management Tips For Dealing With Problem Employees, Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions, Internet and Social Media Use in the Workplace. The following two tabs change content below. From hiring to firing, to mandatory employee postings, to 1099 and W-2 processing, our solutions are guaranteed to be 100% compliant with federal and state (and in some cases, local) employment laws. Included here is a customizable employee handbook template that is provided by the Small ... company’s policies as well as federal, state and local laws. (The only limitation to this is termination for an illegal reason, such as discrimination.) So, if you’re unsure where to start, here’s our list of the top 10 ‘must have’ HR policies for small and medium-sized businesses: Health and Safety at Work Policy Workplace injuries can affect your business in many ways, including decreased productivity, … Employers aren’t required by law to provide paid vacation leave; however, specific states, cities and federal contractors must, by law, provide paid sick leave. Small business attendance policy A small business attendance policy is a written document that defines absences and tardiness, includes rules for attendance, and lays out disciplinary actions. Including these policies clarifies for employees their rights and obligations, and protects you from potential liability. By: Shanna Wall ... Having well-written and up-to-date employee policies is more than a good business practice. Conflict of interest statement 4. The small business employee handbook is just as important as any at larger businesses, arguably more so because it can help small business owners to make sure that they’re on the up and up when it comes to the legalities surrounding employment. General details, such as directions to the office, team structure, and key contact info Examine policies for leave, telework, and employee compensation. Employee Credit Card Policies For Small Business. Health & safety. WHS policies highlight safety procedures and the responsibilities of all employees to keep the workplace safe. Share. When can I start using it? Share: Bookmark. Long-time business owner, but need a quick refresher on your responsibilities under the federal employment discrimination laws? An employee handbook, also sometimes called an employee manual or a policies and procedures manual, is a document that tells your staff members what to expect when they work for you. Have employees sign an acknowledgment stating they received the policies, read them and understand their content. Take a look to see the recommended sample policies that don't sap employee spirits and steal their lives and private time. In order to be successful, your employees have to be in alignment with your company's values, missions, and goals. Dianne Shaddock is the President of Easy Small Business HR, Employee Hiring and Managing Tips and the author of the eGuides, "How To Supervise:  What Your Boss Never Told You Before You Took the Job", A Step-By-Step Guide For New and Seasoned Managers and "How To Find and Hire the Best Employees". Equal employment opportunity statement 3. Confidentiality agreement 5. Having a written policy that reinforces your right to discharge at-will can help your defense in a wrongful termination case. Click to select the duration you give consent until. Leave policies should also account for employees who need to stay home with their children if there are school or childcare closures, or to care for sick family members. EEO/Harassment: This crucial policy clearly states that discrimination and harassment are unacceptable in your workplace. This means the employment relationship can be terminated at any time, by either the employee or the employer, for any reason or no reason at all. It is for this very reason, amongst others, that businesses need human resources (HR) policies and processes to set out how the organisations will operate. For example, successful online shoe retailer Zappos names 10 Zappos Family Core Valuesthat it expects employees to aspire to, incl… Select a vacation policy: Traditional, bank system, unlimited There are several ways you can handle time off. Workplace injuries can affect your business in a number of ways including decreased productivity, sick pay obligations and the cost of finding a replacement. If you have a physical office and standard work hours, then this policy would outline your expectations for employees showing up … It should answer everything your employees need to know about being late or absent. So kick things off by laying out the basics that every employee should know before the shimmy through the front door. An employee handbook is a compilation of your company's policies and protocols, as well as employees' legal rights and obligations. You may wonder what’s most important. 5. At-Will Employment: Employment status generally falls into two categories: "contractual” and “at-will.” If no contract exists, a worker’s status is likely at-will. These policies, procedures, and checklists successfully recognize the limits of providing employees proper guidance for appropriate behavior at work and draw a line between that and employee lives outside of the workplace. What happens to earned time off if I quit or I’m terminated? 3. Check out these 10 quick tips. 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