Employee Handbook

Sherrie

Is it necessary to distribute a paper copy of the Employee Handbook to employees, or can it be provided to them on computer through our company Intranet?

Brad Forrister

I don't suppose it's strictly necessary, but think ahead to how you'll prove that the employees knew what was in the handbook. If you can't prove that, you lose some of the protective litigation benefits of having things stated in your handbook. Most employers who distribute handbooks make employees sign an acknowledgement. That's easier to do with a printed version.

A while back, I looked at an online system that not only kept all versions of the handbook but had the capability of maintaining a "click-through" acknowledgement that each employee had actually opened each page.

Brad Forrister
Director of Publishing
M. Lee Smith Publishers