What Policies Should Be Included in Employee Handbooks?
An employee handbook not only informs employees about the employer’s policies and procedures, but also informs employees about the employer’s history and the benefits associated with working with the organization. Some of the most important policies to include in any handbook include the following: At-Will Employment. A statement that employees are “at will” and the employment relationship may be terminated by the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice, is a must for California employers. The “at-will” policy should be made applicable to other employment decisions as well, including demotion and discipline. A recent unpublished opinion, Dore v. Arnold Worldwide, Inc., emphasizes the importance of using appropriate at-will language. In Dore, the California Court of Appeal reversed a grant of summary judgment to the employer on plaintiff’s claim for breach of an implied covenant not to terminate except for cause, even though the offer letter
