The Philip Lee Guide to: Staff Handbooks

1. What is a staff handbook?

Typically, a staff handbook has two functions:

a) it sets out practical information about the employer and the workplace and

b) it sets out policies and procedures in specific areas. 

In practical terms, it can also be used as an aide-mémoire by an employer (for example, if carrying out a disciplinary procedure, the employer can turn to the staff handbook for guidance as to how this should be done).

The policies and procedures that should ideally be included in a staff handbook are set out under question 3 below.

2. Am I required by law to have a staff handbook?

For the most part, there is no legal requirement for an employer to have a staff handbook.

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