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A new day, new faces, new policies, and a completely new environment, all these factors are quite overwhelming on the first day of an employee. Expecting a new employee to learn all the policies, culture, and norms is not conceivable. So, in knowing that, to help out the employee, an easy-to-read and customized handbook ease outs the significant chunk of the process.
Providing with all the necessary information on the first or initial days proves to be the best way to make them aware of company policy and culture. Employee handbooks must be crystal clear, simplified and easy-to-read. It should be a reflection of your business and how the newly hired staff is expected to work towards that reflection. Check out this list of great HR handbook examples so you can get an idea.
Here are some ways you can customize a handbook to make sure that it is a clear reflection of your business.
1. Keep It Fun
A company’s handbook is the reflection and reference of what the company is and what it expects from their new employee. Keeping that in mind, it should be easy and fun to read. The first step in doing that is to exclude and replace all the jargons and run-on sentences. Every sentence or part of the handbook should be easy to understand for the ease of the new employee.
Play with pictures, graphics and highlighted text. If adding fun-element does not suit the nature of the company, then you can start it with a story. The employee must be able to place themselves in the story so they can relate to the whole situation. This will help get the message to them that they are a part of the company.
2. Make It Unique
Make your handbook standout and less boring by highlighting who you really are and what distinguishes your organization from the rest of them out there. Everyone writes about maternity or annual leaves and other such benefits since this shows-off the unique aspects of the company.
It can also be done with the help of eye-catching and compelling design and color scheme. Synchronize the theme of the handbook with the company’s themed outlook and grab attention with the design and tone of the manual.
3. Key Information
In this section, the question arises why are you doing it? What is the purpose of this handbook? Does this handbook serve the purpose of guiding the newly onboard employees? The manual must be the epitome of the company, not only with words but visually as well. Write and assemble it as a guide for the employee, for them to find its way into the spirit of the organization.
The handbook must clearly and in simple words communicate the company culture. If you feel that a particular rule needs clarification, you must mention the reason for it and bring clarity to the new employee. The text must motivate the employee than unnerving him/her. It should provide a glimpse of the employee’s life at the organization and what makes him/her a part of it.
4. Research Before Implementation
Adding heaps of text does not add to the idea of an outstanding employee handbook. Using templates for the book is a dime a dozen, but the mission is to use it the right way. Clean out the desks and start your research. For that, check the handbooks of other companies, look for inspiration and catchy material.
It should be kept in mind that the goal is to not only make it look cool but to reflect the spirit of the organization. Notice the flow of the information, starting and ending points and use of the graphics/pictorials. At the same time, it must be noted that a handbook full of images and graphics does not as well prove to be ideal.
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