A guide to staff handbooks

Your staff handbook is a go-to resource for all details, rules and responsibilities that are made between each individual staff member and the business – and, indeed, between fellow staff members too.

From championing equality and providing flexibility in the workplace to handling performance and knowing what to do if things don’t go to plan… it’s all in there, included within the policies listed below.

Creating your staff handbook is super simple! All of the above templates are available on Farillio, written by our expert lawyers and are each fully compliant with current legislation.

So all you need to do is collate the parts you need, print it out, and share with those who join your team.

Alternatively, you can create a staff handbook with our objective tool here

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Writing your introduction

First, you'll want to add a introduction so that your staff will know what they can expect to find within it and why it's of importance to them.

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Here's a template introduction that you're welcome to use and tailor to your own style:

Welcome to [business name]!

Here's your staff handbook – your go-to resource for the processes and policies to keep in mind while you're working here.

Take some time to read through everything within this handbook, as it not only details [our/my] responsibilities to you both in response to and in addition to current employment law, but it also gives you insight into the business ethos as a whole and what we need to do as a team to maintain a fair, supportive and enjoyable workspace.

Every now and then, something in this handbook may change – this may happen if the law itself changes, for example. But, if this happens, [we'll/I'll] let you know as soon as possible.

You'll be provided with copies of the relevant amended sections if the change is minor, and [we'll/I'll] also discuss any potential amendments with you if the changes are particularly major.

Either way, [we'll/I'll] make it our priority that you're kept up to date and completely clear and confident about this handbook's contents.

[We're/I'm] excited to have you on board!

[Your name]

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Creating your policies

To help you choose the policies for your own staff handbook, you'll find a handy introduction to each one below.

When you see a policy you need, simply click on the orange template link to access the template – and you'll be able use the interactive template editor to customise it to your business.

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Putting it all together

Once you've created your policies, they'll automatically be saved to your Farillio dashboard. So now, you'll just need to print each template and pop a printout of your introduction to the front to create your handbook.

You can then give a copy straight over to your new hire for them to read and keep for reference throughout their work with you.

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This policy is for employees and workers. It covers how they must report their sickness absence, and it also sets out what pay they may be entitled to during any sickness absence. In addition, it also provides details relating to absences from work for other reasons, such as jury service and family-related absences. It includes all the statutory requirements as well as optional elements.

Click to access the absence management policy template

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This policy is for all employees, contractors, consultants, officers, interns, casual and agency workers, and anyone else under their or the employer's control. It sets out the duties and commitments to meet the appropriately high standards of operational integrity and legal compliance that must be set. It also contains guidance on how to identify instances of bribery and corruption and what steps to take if it's discovered that it's taking place.

Click here to access the bribery policy template

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