Idaho Law Blog
By Lane V. Erickson, Attorney
An employee handbook is a written document that provides an explanation of the workplace, and contains the employer’s policies and rules for new and existing employees. Employee handbooks do not have to be lengthy.
To accomplish their purpose, most Idaho Employee Handbooks contain basic information. Here are some of the basic things that are in an Idaho Employee Handbook:
- at will employment disclaimer;
- equal employment opportunity statement;
- summary of established company policies and work rules;
- anti-harassment policy;
- benefits information; and
- information regarding FLSA status (i.e., exempt, non-exempt) and employment classification (i.e., full-time, part-time, seasonal).
Not only does an Idaho Employee Handbook provide a guide for Idaho employees, it also serves as a human resources tool to set standards for all Idaho employees to follow. In addition, Idaho Employee Handbooks serve as useful reference tools for management when determining whether certain employee conduct violates workplace rules and policies. As a result, it is crucial that Idaho Employers who use an employee handbook train their supervisors on the policies and guidelines contained in the employee handbook so that they may easily identify violations and can serve as examples for the other employees to follow.
Many Idaho Employers wonder whether they need an employee handbook. There is no specific law requiring employers to have an employee handbook. Some smaller employers, who have only a few employees, may feel that having an employee handbook is just too much work. They believe that it isn’t worth the time and effort. However, almost universally, most employers believe having an employee handbook is a good idea. For these employers, an employee handbook lets them inform their employees about workplace rules in an efficient, uniform way. Additionally, these employers believe that an employee handbook helps employees know what is expected of them and what they can expect of the employer. Furthermore, these employers believe that they are better able to prove that all employees were aware of the rules if an employee later decides to challenge the employer in court.
For most employers, an employee handbook can provide their company with valuable legal protections. For example, an at-will policy can provide a valuable defense against employee claims of breach of contract. The handbook also gives the employer a good place to collect policies that must be in writing, such as policies on smoking, drug testing, or family and medical leave.
If you have any questions about whether you need an Employee Handbook, call us toll free at 877-232-6101 or 208-232-6101 for a consultation with Lane Erickson and the Racine Olson team of Employment Law attorneys in Idaho. You can also email Lane Erickson directly at lve@racinelaw.net. We will answer your Idaho Employment Law questions and will help you solve your Idaho Employment Law needs.