Melanie Lockwood Herman, executive director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, suggests employee handbooks, another important piece to limiting liability, include the following items:
• Welcome, including handbook use and purpose, at-will employment, right to change policies
• EEO Statement
• Anti-Harassment Policy
• Introductory Period (sometimes inappropriately called the probationary period)
• Employee Classifications
• Nepotism (hiring of relatives) Policy
• Performance Appraisals
• Benefits Summary
• Paid and Unpaid Time Off
• Work Hours, Rest Breaks, Schedules, Timekeeping Requirements, Overtime policy
• Safety Policy, Drug-Free Workplace Policy, Security
• Technology and Privacy Policy (including computers, e-mail, Internet, phones, PDAs and other wireless communications devices, blogs, etc.)
• Punctuality and Attendance
• Confidentiality Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Progressive Discipline Policy (if applicable)
