Q: What factors should we consider when we develop or update our employee handbook?

A: Your handbook should be updated, approved by legal counsel, and well-communicated to your staff.

The purpose of an employee handbook is to provide guidelines regarding the expectations that you, the employer, have established for employee performance.

To help limit liability, you should:

• Update the handbook annually.

• Have an attorney review the handbook.

• Always be consistent in practice with the policies in the handbook.

In addition, use the following guidelines on how frequently to communicate handbook information:

• Upon an individual's employment with the organization

• When you make significant policy changes

• If you experience significant turnover in staff

Your employee handbook provides rules outlining expectations that you have established for your employees.

Recommended Resources

If you found this information helpful, you might be interested in these other resources from Brotherhood Mutual:

• View sample employee policies in Working Together: A Guide to Employment Practices for Ministries.

• Read about mistaken assumptions that can put you at risk in our article Church Employment Liability.

• Learn how to handle allegations of misconduct in Employment Practices for Ministries.

• Find 2020 Fair Labor Standards Act information in our article New Overtime Rule Changes for 2020.

*Important information: Brotherhood Mutual is pleased to provide Legal Assist as a complimentary resource. The services we offer through Legal Assist are intended to provide general legal information to our current and prospective policyholders.

The information we provide is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. Accordingly, no attorney/client relationship is created through this process, and no legal advice will be provided. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.