Building the Best Employee Handbook

Learning Objectives

• To analyze how to preserve the at-will relationship provided by California law.
• To discuss ways to communicate expectations and policies to your employees.
• To explain strategies to ensure compliance with California state and federal wage and hour laws.
• To evaluate strategies to respond to and defend employee claims in California State.
• To develop and implement procedures that reduce confusion and avoid lost employee time spent on Human Resources issues.
• To discuss the top ten mistakes businesses, make when crafting an employee handbook in California State.

Course Description

Employment laws are always changing, especially in California. That means businesses should be reviewing their employee handbooks and making any necessary updates.

No matter how large or small your organization might be, you can derive significant benefits from having a well-crafted employee handbook that spells out your policies. The handbook should include both mandatory policies and any recommended policies applicable to your workforce. Your employee handbook is your most valuable tool for communicating your company’s policies, practices, and vision.

To prepare an effective employee handbook, you need to understand your current policies (both written and oral), past practices, and anticipated future needs. Remember that your handbook is a legal document and must be updated to meet the ever-changing needs of your company and the laws that govern employment practices.

Both California and federal laws apply to California employees, however, California is more restrictive in most areas. California employers have the right to unilaterally change or terminate policies contained in their employee handbooks without having to be concerned about violating an implied contract of employment if they follow certain guidelines.

Certain policies are mandatory and must be included in your employee handbook. For example, California employers must have written harassment, discrimination, and retaliation prevention policies. Including these policies clarifies employees' rights and obligations, and protects you from potential liability.

Join our speaker Cynthia Flynn for this CPE webinar as she will focus on best practices for developing and updating handbooks in California State, and will also examine strategies and approaches.

Major topics covered in this online PDC/RCH course:

• Handbook objectives
• Contents every handbook should have
• Practical handbook guidelines
• Common mistakes and legal pitfalls
• Recent, new, and revised policies
• Policies requiring special attention
• Strategy: Less is more
• Strategy: Who should write/revise your handbook
• Strategy: Legal review
• Strategy: Your handbook and employee engagement
• Your questions and concerns

In this practical CPE webinar, you will learn how to craft a handbook of employee policies and procedures in California State that will protect the rights of you and your employees.

Overview

• Developing Your Policies and Procedure

  2 mins
• Strategies to avoid modifying at-will status

  26 mins
• Compliance with California Employment Law

  29 mins
• Ten Most Common Handbook Mistakes

  38 mins
• Employment Attorney

  48 mins