Company Policies & Handbook

What should be included in an employee handbook?

Employee handbooks typically include a range of important elements recommended to provide necessary information to employees. These elements may include the company’s mission, vision, core values, compensation and benefits details, work schedule and hours, and other relevant information deemed essential for employees. Moreover, it is crucial to incorporate federal and state laws into the employee handbook to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Federal laws to include in your employer handbook

Federal law takes precedence over state law, meaning that certain policies should be included in all employee handbooks regardless of the state in which you are hiring. These policies are crucial as they safeguard important worker rights, including specific types of leave, sexual harassment policies, and anti-discrimination policies.

Including these policies in state-specific employee handbooks is relatively straightforward since they remain consistent across all 50 states. However, it’s essential to note that you must update all state employee handbooks when there are changes to federal employment laws.

The following policies are mandatory in your employee handbook:

1. Equal Employment and Anti-Discrimination Policy
2. Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy (applies to employers with 50 or more employees)
3. Jury Duty Leave
4. Military Service Leave
5. Sexual Harassment Policy
6. Lactation Accommodation Policy

By ensuring the inclusion of these policies, you can provide employees with important information and demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a fair and inclusive work environment.

Florida State laws to include in your employer handbook

Alongside the five federally mandated policies, the state of Florida imposes an additional six policies that should also be included in employee handbooks. It is worth noting that although federal law takes precedence over state law, states have the authority to establish supplementary regulations, requirements, rights, and obligations for their residents.

These Florida-specific policies encompass provisions for various aspects, such as meal and rest breaks for minors, voting policies, and certain types of leave. Even if some of these policies may not currently be applicable to your employees (e.g., if your company does not hire minors), it is still necessary to include them in your handbook and ensure they remain up to date.

Employee handbooks in Florida must incorporate the following state policies:

1. Civil Air Patrol Leave (applies to employers with 15 or more employees)
2. Domestic Violence Leave (applies to employers with 50 or more employees)
3. Jury Duty Leave
4. Voting Leave
5. Whistleblower Protection
6. Witness Duty Leave

By incorporating these additional state policies into your employee handbook, you can ensure compliance with Florida’s requirements and address the specific rights and obligations of your employees in the state.

Given the complexity of researching and staying updated on state-specific employment laws and the substantial effort required to create and maintain an employee handbook, many businesses in Florida outsource this task to experienced attorneys specializing in business law.
Protect Your Business with the Assistance of The Campbell Law Group

At The Campbell Law Group, we recognize the importance of a comprehensive and well-structured employee handbook in protecting your business interests. By leveraging our expertise, you can have peace of mind knowing that your handbook is skillfully crafted to address legal requirements, mitigate risks, and provide clear guidance to your employees.

Our attorneys are committed to assisting you every step of the way. From conducting thorough research on state-specific employment laws to tailoring the content of your handbook to meet your unique needs, we strive to provide you with the necessary legal guidance and support. Trust TCLG to help you navigate the complexities of employment law and ensure that your employee handbook serves as a valuable tool in safeguarding your business interests