As the owner of a growing small business, it may be time for you to implement some workplace rules. When your business expands, the risk of something going wrong increases. Developing a handbook does not guarantee everyone will comply with it, but it will help make sure everyone is on the same page. Additionally, it protects you from liabilities.
But you do not want to simply type of a boring wall of text that your employees will ignore. You want to catch your employees’ attention and bring them on board to the vision you have for your company. Here are some suggestions for making an engaging handbook for your workers.
Begin with your mission and values
Rather than jumping right into complex legalities, you may want to start off your employee manual with some statements about your company. Every successful business has a mission. Tell your workers about your values and goals. This engages them both intellectually and emotionally. Starting your handbook this way sets the tone for all the procedures and policies.
Personalize the policies
Anyone can find a generic policy online and copy and paste it. Not only does this set you up for legal trouble, but it is also not effective. The best way to ensure your workers care about the policies is by explaining your reasoning for having them in relation to your company culture and values. For example, your benefits policy can articulate your view on a healthy work/life balance. Your dress code may describe the image you seek to present both internally and externally.
Present it in an engaging manner
You can do more than the bare minimum of sending out a mass email to all your employees with a PDF of the handbook. If you want the best chance of ensuring your employees will comply, you may want to think outside the box when presenting the handbook. Consider printing it in color, making an annual presentation or including it in an interactive survey.
