June 10, 2025

Employee handbooks: What to have & what to avoid

14 minutes

An essential step to creating an effective employee handbook is determining which policies to include and what policies to avoid. Here are some policies that are considered must-haves and some policies that are potentially problematic.

[01:45] At-will policies

[02:36] Employee conduct policies

[03:32] Attendance

[05:52] Employment classification, meal breaks and timekeeping policies

[07:51] Leave and time off policies

[08:33] Anti-harassment and nondiscrimination policies

[10:39] Reasonable accommodation policies

[11:44] Policies to avoid

This content is based on generally accepted HR practices, is advisory in nature, and does not constitute legal advice or other professional services. ADP does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content. Employers are encouraged to consult with legal counsel for advice regarding their organization's compliance with applicable laws. This content is current as of the published date.

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