It sounds smart: download a pre-made employee handbook online, hand it out to your team, and check compliance off your list. But these bulky, overly detailed handbooks do more harm than good for many small and mid-sized businesses. Some have ballooned to 80 or even 100 pages, filled with generic policies that don’t apply, can’t be enforced, or create legal traps.
An employee handbook should be practical, readable, and tailored to your business. Too often, business owners rely on HR consultants or templates without having a lawyer review what’s in the document. That might save money now, but it frequently leads to confusion or compliance problems down the line. The goal isn’t to be overly comprehensive. It’s to be concise and clear.
Keep It Simple, Especially If You’re Small
You don’t need a legal team if you have 5, 10, or 15 employees. In fact, the more elaborate your handbook is, the more risk you may be creating. Detailed procedures around medical leave, discipline, or time off can box you into a corner when issues arise. If the policy is written one way and you handle the situation another, you’ve just opened the door for a potential lawsuit.
Instead, focus on clarity. Keep policies high-level and flexible. Include legally required notices, general workplace rules, and your expectations for conduct. Resist the urge to list out every possible scenario. A simple, well-written handbook is easier for your team to understand and for you to enforce. As your business grows, you can always expand the handbook to reflect more sophisticated needs.
Always Have Your Handbook Reviewed
Even if you’re using a template or something provided by an HR vendor, make sure a lawyer reviews it before you circulate it to your employees. It’s common to see handbooks that include legal obligations your business doesn’t actually have. That can backfire when it’s time to terminate an employee, respond to a complaint, or calculate leave. Your policies should reflect the laws in the states where you operate and be written in a way that you, not just your lawyer, can understand.
The best handbooks do two things well: (i) communicate your company’s values and expectations, and (ii) protect you from legal exposure. Your handbook should be accurate, readable, and tailored to how your business actually runs.
How RM Can Assist
Rodriguez-McCloskey PLLC works with businesses to ensure their employee handbooks are clear, consistent, and legally sound. If you’re tired of sifting through pages of unnecessary policies or if you’re unsure what applies to your team, we can help you simplify and protect what matters most. Reach out to start the conversation.
