Why Every Organization Needs to Have Company Employee Handbooks in India
The employment law in India is bureaucratic, with companies needing to adhere to statutory requirements. In other words, matters pertaining to labour in India is done strictly by the book. Understandably, employment laws and regulations in a country as populous as India constantly evolves to accommodate advancement, growing times and even more so, the ever-growing population. If you are a part of Indian employment, an employee handbook can save you the hassle of navigating through the workspace – regardless if you are the employer or an employee. Read more on our brief guide to company employee handbooks in India and everything you need to know about it.
What Is a Company Employee Handbook?
A company employee handbook is essentially a document containing everything you, as an employee, would need to know. You will often be asked to testify that you have read through the handbook and understood the terms laid out. These handbooks are usually easy to go through and succinct in what they have to convey, meaning it is not meant to be exhaustively long, which can be every employee’s nightmare. On the other hand, as an employer, an employee handbook can help you create a healthy and conducive workplace.
What Information Does This Handbook Contain?
Different company employee handbooks contain other contents, but they typically share the same structure.
- Introduction.
This is where usually acknowledgements and company information will be. You will typically find messages from essential figures of the company, company history, policies and various statements (vision, mission, values and ethics). - Employment information.
This section will contain all the policies related to your employment. Common topics that will be addressed here include joining information, application information, promotions, employment grades or levels, referral policies, leave, benefits, reimbursements, training, termination and more. - Information related to operations.
Can detail dress code, hours, attendance, breaks, prohibitions, penalties, equipment usage, and company properties’ return.
Why Are They Important?
These handbooks can serve many purposes, but the primary goal is to serve as a centralised written point of reference for the employees to follow. The use of these handbooks allows uniformity in procedures, deters favouritism and discrimination. It also ensures that the employees themselves are clear with where they stand in many affairs related to their work. The following are the ways that you can use these handbooks to your benefit.
- Knowing your rights.
These handbooks often list policies that you can know and use when the situation necessitates it. Often, companies have policies against discrimination, sexual harassment and other injustices that you can refer to in order to understand the extent of protection. - Understand the benefits you are entitled to.
Companies sometimes offer incentives, benefits or other bonuses that you can use to your advantage. Reading through the handbooks helps you in understanding the conditions that make you eligible. - Understand what is expected of you.
These handbooks can also highlight what the company expects of you yearly or daily, from dress code to annual performance. - Understand what is prohibited.
Some companies have strict policies against certain things, such as those against provocative hairstyle, conduct and communications. There are also policies that dictate what happens when prohibitions occur.
Need Help on Creating a Great Employee Handbook?
An employee handbook is a crucial communication resource. If you are an employer and need a comprehensive employee handbook, do not hesitate to engage in professional legal help to draft your guide. Also, keep in mind to acquire a written acknowledgement that your employees have read and understood the contents in the employee handbook. This will ensure that both parties are aware of the employee handbook policies!
