Employee Handbook Checklists

Employee Handbook Content Checklist

Tehsin Bhayani

• 1 min read
Employee Handbook Content Checklist
Photo by My Profit Tutor / Unsplash

Creating an employee handbook can feel overwhelming – there's so much ground to cover! To help you get started, we've put together a comprehensive checklist of topics commonly included in effective employee handbooks.

Use this as a template for your own company handbook. While this checklist is designed primarily for office environments, it can be adapted for any type of workplace.

About the Company

  1. Our mission and mantra
  2. Who we are as a company
  3. Our history and timeline
  4. Our core values
  5. How our teams and departments are organized

Your First Days

  1. What to expect on day one
  2. Training schedules and onboarding timeline
  3. Tools and software we use
  4. Who to contact for different questions

Policies

  1. Remote work and working from home
  2. Vacation time and holidays
  3. Sick leave and family leave
  4. Attendance and punctuality
  5. Confidentiality agreements
  6. Phone and device usage at work
  7. Internet and social media guidelines

Good to Know

  1. General work hours and flexibility
  2. Dress code and what people typically wear
  3. Pet policy (can you bring your dog?)
  4. Lunch breaks and kitchen etiquette
  5. Desk setup and personalization
  6. Team outings and social events
  7. Employee referral program
  8. Performance review process
  9. Office opening and closing procedures
  10. Company credit card and expense policies

Compensation

  1. Pay schedule and direct deposit
  2. Bonus structure
  3. Promotion criteria and career paths

Making It Your Own

These are the essentials for an office environment, but don't stop here. The best employee handbooks also showcase your company's unique culture. Consider adding:

  • Team photos and employee spotlights
  • Fun facts about your company
  • Your company's origin story
  • Memorable team traditions

Remember: You need a legal document that employees sign, but you should also have a handbook that employees actually want to read. When your handbook is engaging and enjoyable, employees spend more time with it – and they're more likely to absorb and follow the information inside.

Ready to build your own employee handbook? Check out AirMason – our tool makes it easy to create beautiful, professional handbooks your team will love.