Get to Know Your Employee Handbook

Every time we start a new job, Human Resources gives us a novel to read. When something doesn't go right, they defer to that same novel claiming that everything we need to know is in those pages. Tired of skimming through all the mumbo jumbo to get to the pertinent information? Check out the highlights of your employee handbook for what you really need to know.

The Government Stuff

Equal Opportunity Policy - This simply states that any employee or prospective employee will not be discriminated against based on race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, marital or veteran status.

Sexual Harassment - Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcomed sexual advances; demands or threats for sexual favors or actions; posting or distributing sexual pictures or objects; suggestive gestures, sounds or stares and a number of other inappropriate behavior. Most companies have a strict no tolerance policy.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse - This policy usually states that there is no tolerance for using drugs or alcohol while you're on the job. It also states that neither of these things is an excuse for dereliction of duty. Some companies offer programs for alcohol and drug addiction aside from insurance.

The Company Stuff

Hours of work and overtime - This section will point out the standard work week and the number of hours that make up the work week. Pay close attention to the overtime section, especially is you are a non exempt employee (hourly). Be careful with the following:

• Pay attention to how overtime is calculated. If Monday was a holiday, but you worked 12 hours on Friday, it's may not be considered overtime because a standard 40 hour work week does not take into account paid holidays.

Paid Holidays - Perhaps the most referred to page in an employee handbook is the paid holiday's page. This will tell you what days the company is going to pay you for taking off.

Vacation - This section will explain how vacation time is accrued or delineated. Companies can figure their vacation packages anyway they'd like. Some will give you a certain amount of time off for vacation and an allotted time off for sick or personal days. Others let you accrue time off each month that you are employed and may lump vacation and sick time into one package.

Termination - This section is particularly important for any employee who is leaving or who suspects they will be leaving. There are a few types of termination:

1. Voluntary Termination - This means you've given your notice to quit after two weeks. This helps the company prepare to replace you.
2. Involuntary Termination - This means you got fired or asked to resign. In some cases, they will give you two weeks or pay you the equivalent. This also makes you eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
3. Reduction in Force - This essentially means that you're getting laid off due to the company not doing so well. You have rights when this happens; however, each company's policies are different. Most companies will try to give at least a months' notice and in some cases give you a severance package.

IT Policy - This is a fairly universal policy. If you ask any IT department why they have these rules, they'll tell you:

• To insure compliance with Federal, state, and local laws.

• To protect all IT Resources from anything other than authorized and intended use.

There is usually an email and attachments policy, and an antivirus policy but they differ from company to company.

While it may not be a book you can't put down, employee handbooks are often a great source for reference. Keep it in your desk if for no other reason than to make sure you're being treated fairly. Just because your company wrote the book doesn't mean they are following their own procedures. It's important to know your rights as an employee to make sure you're getting the most out of your employment.

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