Employee Handbook
A customised employee handbook - your roadmap to success
Employee Handbook
At vivoHR, our dynamic team of experienced HR consultants are here to provide solutions to all your HR needs.Â
Improving employee well-being, productivity and retention is key to the success of your business. We help businesses, like yours, to create a practical, well-defined handbook that shares important company information such as the company culture, policies and procedures.
Why invest in an Employee Handbook?
If you’ve been in your business a long time, it’s easy to forget the apprehension of starting a new job. Most new employees are keen to settle in as quickly as they can, and a handbook is a great way to accelerate this process.
The handbook also provides answers to questions that a new joiner wants to ask, but might not want to ‘bother’ their new boss about!
Create a high-impact Employee Handbook
We work closely with you to understand your business, your culture, and your people. Then we create a tailored handbook that reflects your values, supports your managers, and sets clear expectations for everyone.
Strengthen employee engagement
Improve staff retention
Support greater productivity
Reduce risk and stay compliant
Embed your culture and values
Connect everyday actions to business goals
What should be included in a staff handbook?
The staff handbook is a single place where all of the information relevant to the employee’s relationship with the employer can be recorded and updated. It should be unique to your business, but typically every handbook will include the following sections:
A welcome statement from the person at the top of the organisation which outlines the company’s mission, values and culture.
Information relevant to each employee such as arrangements for annual leave and company-wide benefits. The list can be long but here are some of the main headings you’d expect to find:
- General employment information
- Attendance at work
- Company representation and expected levels of professionalism
- Pay and benefits
- Time away from work
- Use of company equipment
- Performance expectations and evaluation
Specific rules and policies, e.g. disciplinary and grievances policy and others which are required to conform with current employment law.
vivoHR has the requisite information to develop an Employee Handbook for your business.
Employee Handbook FAQS
Are employee handbooks legally binding?
While an employee handbook itself may not be contractually binding (and we’d suggest that you ensure it isn’t), it plays a crucial role in establishing workplace expectations and outlining company policies.
Consistent application of the handbook’s policies can demonstrate established workplace practices and how the company typically operates. They can minimise misunderstandings and ensure there is both fairness and consistency in how many employment situations are handled..
How often should handbooks be updated?
It should be annually reviewed and updated. Your handbook should accurately reflect your company’s current values, culture, processes and business objectives.
An effective employee handbook is a living document that should evolve alongside your business. We advise that the handbook is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in employment law, company policies, and industry best practices. This will ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date to avoid confusion and potential legal issues.
Do employee handbooks need to be signed?
While not always legally mandatory, it’s generally considered best practice to obtain employee acknowledgement of the company’s employee handbook. This provides documentation that employees have received and (presumably) reviewed the information contained within. Acknowledgement of receipt can be obtained as a formal signature from the employee, an electronic signature through a secure online system, or an email acknowledgement.
What does a staff handbook cost?
A fully customised staff handbook is £1,500 + VAT. It’s tailored to your business and covers everything your employees need to know.
What’s the cost for pay-as-you-go hr support?
Pay-as-you-go support is £120 + VAT per hour. Great for one-off help without a subscription.
What’s the price for phone and email support?
Phone and email support starts from £100 + VAT – ideal for day-to-day questions or quick advice.
Do you offer monthly HR support packages, and what do they cost?
Yes – our monthly retainers start from £217 + VAT. These give you ongoing support with the flexibility of a monthly plan.
Let’s Get Started
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you create an effective employee handbook that will help steer your business onto the road to success.