Policy Manual

junebug · May 2001

Please forgive me if this has been posted previously, but I did not see it. I have been given the task of updating our company policy manual, which is in very poor shape. I would like it to be accessible over the computer network (Windows NT)by each employee yet have a few hard copies available. It needs to have good indexes with hyperlinks to each topic, and search capabilities. It should be easily modifiable by those with permission. Any recommendations as to a program that does this well, that also might aide in the design? Our firm is small (40 employees) but the need for an udated manual is great.

PMI · May 2001

I just rewrote our company handbook. It is set up just the way you described (electronic format with few hardcopies, and links to files, forms, & web sites). I used MS Word. So far feedback from our employees & supervisory staff has been positive.

junebug · May 2001

Thanks for the reply. I didn't realize Word was a strong enough tool to use for this. Did you use an intranet for this, or web pages, or Word documents on the server?

PMI · May 2001

The manual is posted on a common drive on our server. At the end of the book, after the index, there is a table listing various HR forms & policies, most of which are Word or Excel files. Alongside the file name is an icon which links the referenced file. The user just needs to double click the ICON, and the file opens. To create these links using Word, go to INSERT on the menu bar, then click OBJECT. Select the CREATE FROM FILE tab, then select the existing file you want to link. Click the box that says "Dispay as ICON," then click OK, and you're done. You follow almost the same procedure to link a web page.
As for locating sections within the document, our handbook is less than 40 pages long, so people can easily use the "Find" feature of Word (see Edit on the menu bar).
Two other things you may wish to consider:
1) You may wish to password protect the file so that people can open & read it, but not edit the file.
2) You should take a look at the receipt or acknowledgement that employees are going to sign, to be sure that it clearly explains where the handbook is located on your computer system, how to access it, and so forth.
Let me know if you'd like to discuss this, or if you'd like me to email a copy of our book to you.

junebug · May 2001

I would greatly appreciate your e-mailing a copy of your book to me. My e-mail address is:
[email]bbenefield@tplan.com[/email]

thanks

Jules · May 2001

I would also very much appreciate a copy. I am in the process of rewriting our manual. It would be great to have a sample. My e-mail address is [email]jdoucette@citrusmh.org[/email]. Thanks.

kysy · May 2001

I would appreciate a copy also. My email is [email]syoung@neirelo.com[/email]

cg · May 2001

We're not ME employees but I would also like to
see you manual. Thank you for the offer.
[email]cgalis@kswl.org[/email]

KMS · May 2001

You should just post the manual on this site. There is a policy section for just that purpoose.

Lynnea · May 2001

Where is the policy posting site to which you refer? I've looked but I can't find anything like that.

System · May 2001

Sorry about that! The policy page is at [url]http://www.HRhero.com/policies/policyindex.shtml[/url]

PMI has sent me her policy handbook, and I'll be posting it there either Friday or Monday. I'll add a post to this thread letting everyone know when it's up.

If anyone else would like to send your policy manual to me to post on that page, e-mail it to me at [email]WebEditor@HRhero.com[/email] or snail mail it to me at:

Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
5201 Virginia Way
P.O. Box 5094
Brentwood, TN 37024

Mary Jo · May 2001

I would also appreciate a copy. Please e-mail at [email]lhmcmary@intellilink.net[/email]. TYVM.

Elizabeth · May 2001

Please email me a copy. Thanks so much.

Reggie · May 2001

I would appreciate it if you would e-mail me a copy of your policy. I am in Iowa, I am interested to look at the set up of your policy. Thanks,
[email]brussell@co.jackson.ia.us[/email]

System · May 2001

I have posted Terri's and PMI's policy manuals on the Sample Policies page:
[url]http://www.hrhero.com/policies/policyindex.shtml[/url]

Both are originally Microsoft Word documents, but I've also added a rich text format for anyone who doesn't have MS Word.

Hope this helps!

Christy

LR · May 2001

I am also in the process of rewriting our handbook and I too would like an e-mailed copy of your book. Please send to [email]Laurar@redlioncontrols.com[/email]

Thanks

LR · May 2001

Tupo in the e-mail address: [email]Laurar@redlion-controls.com[/email]

System · May 2001

L.R.,

You can access both policy manuals mentioned above at [url]http://www.hrhero.com/policies/policyindex.shtml[/url]

Christy

Rockie · May 2001

I'd like to have a copy of your manual.
[email]scallender@scheart.com[/email] Thanks!

System · May 2001

Rockie:

A couple of the forum members sent their policy manuals to me to post on HRhero.com for everyone. Go to this web page to download them:

[url]http://www.HRhero.com/policies/policyindex.shtml[/url]

HRManager · September 2001

I wonder if you could email me a copy of your policy manual. We are a small company - 15 employees and in desperate need of one. My email address is [email]rheiller@inhousegroup.com[/email]

ICUW · January 2002

I would like to get a copy of the policy manual mentioned some time ago. My email address is: [email]Moore@UWCI.org[/email]. Thanks.

Barbara Crider · May 2001

Speaking of Policy Manuals, our organization is just beginning a review and re-write of our personnel policies. Can anyone suggest a sample or guide that might be useful for us?
We are in Maine, and have about 220 employees.
Thanks.

Terri · May 2001

We are in Maine as well. We have just rewritten out personnel policy manual. If you would like a copy, please give me your mailing address and I will send one to you.

Barbara Crider · May 2001

Thanks for the offer. Mailing address is P. O. Box 72, Sanford, ME 04073.

Jantra · May 2001

Dear Terri-
I would VERY MUCH APPRECIATE seeing a copy of your manual as a sample. Thanks in advance! My e-mal address is:
[email]jvanroy@zeklaw.com[/email]

Terri · May 2001

Barbara, since there has been so much interest shown, I have emailed a copy to Christy Reedy who in turn will post it on the policy page she has developed for HRhero.com users. She will post a message on Employers' Forum giving everyone a link to the policy page. Let me know if this doesn't work for you, then we can go to a plan "B".

Granhel · May 2001

You might look into a software program. I used one last year and my board was well pleased with the overall result. Policies Now put out by KnowledgePoint provides an overview of the subject, links to the laws, etc. After answering questions, it formats a policy in edit form. KnowledgePoint, 1129 Industrial Avenue, Petaluma, CA 94952 (707)762-0333. Web site [url]www.knowledgepoint.com[/url] I am sure there are others but this is the one I used.

2589439 · January 2002

i ran across this software at a trade show and it looked adaptable. the only glaring omission was the lack of an acknowledgement page.

call eDox at 800-451-1703.

good luck to all.

HRManager · January 2002

I would like to see this software - can you direct me where to look or send me something email about it. [email]rheiller@inhousegroup.com[/email]

Policy Manual

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