Important HR Policies to Have in Writing

Employers are not required to publish employee handbooks with all the company human resources policies. Rather, it is up to each employer to decide whether and when to create one. Typically, a company will consider publishing a handbook by the time it has 25 or more employees. But regardless of whether your organization has a formal handbook, there are certain HR policies that are required by law and others that would be extremely wise to have in written form.

If a policy is well developed and clearly written, it will enhance communications with employees, clarify expectations, and assist with consistency of application. These are all important factors in creating a desirable culture for your company and minimizing legal risk.

So what are some of the policies that every employer should consider? To begin with, there are several states (including California) that require employers to have a written policy prohibiting sexual harassment. And the law goes so far as to include some of the required content of the policy, along with information about how and when it must be distributed to employees.