Answer

Thanks for your question. A staff handbook is an idea that if used effectively can be beneficial in a number of ways:

• it can be an effective internal communications method
• it can ensure statutory obligations are net (by providing key policies in a readily accessible format)
• it can reinforce processes for staff induction, training, support and development
• the handbook provides a live resource for ongoing reference by both managers and staff
• it can avoid disputes or help to resolve them quickly if they arise
• it can even be used as a recruitment tool

Also, it's worth noting that a staff "handbook" could also be an online resource such as an Intranet, via the web, or as part of an Extranet. Do place a further question for the Computers and Communications Experts if you think this might be helpful.

A starting point would be to gather together all of the HR-related statements, policies, procedures, and rules that you have already. This should provide you with the basics. You could of course then simply publish these all in one place, however there is value in creating a single well structured document and wording around this to communicate some of the ethos of the organisation and make it an "easier" read.

An example of an extremely comprehensive online staff manual is that of the FSA which can be found by clicking >> here <<.

The headline A-Z list (also reproduced below) is an excellent checklist of what you might like to include in your own organisation's publication. (probably a bit too detailed for a small organisation but at least you won't miss much!)

A VCS organisation or Social Enterprise has the same legal and moral obligations as any other type of employer, though you may like to consider adding policies that relate to:

• working as and working with volunteers / trustees
• volunteer status and rights
• ethical statements of intent
• notes about dealing with certain types of users, clients or suppliers
• awareness of charity law

The organisation VolResource UK provide information / checklists on just this topic at http://www.volresource.org.uk/samples/checklst.htm which I am sure you will find of great help.

Please come back to us if you would like more information, or guidance on any specific section of your proposed handbook as it develops.

Note A-Z listing below ....

• Absence policy
• Accident Reporting
• Adoption policy
• Annual Leave
• Appearance
• Bank Holidays
• Basics about your employment
• Benefits
• Bonus
• Building Security
• Carry forward of holiday
• Career Leave
• Code of Conduct
• Community Affairs
• Compassionate Leave
• Complaints
• Computer Security
• Conduct
• Confidentiality
• Contractual Position
• Dependants Policy
• Disciplinary Policy
• Dismissal Procedure
• Document Security
• Dress Code
• Early Retirement
• E-mail policy
• Emergency Procedures
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Wellbeing
• Employing Relatives
• Enquiries from the Press
• Equal Opportunities
• Exclusive Employment
• Exit Interviews
• Expenses Policy
• Eye Test Policy
• Financial Difficulties
• First Aid
• Flexitime Policy
• Flexitime Swipe System
• Flexible Working
• Gifts and Hospitality
• Give as you earn
• Grievance Policy
• Handling Market Sensitive Information
• Health and Safety
• Holiday Policy
• Homeworking Policy
• Hours of work
• Indemnity and Notification
• Intellectual Property
• Internal Moves
• iTime
• Job Title
• Jury Service
• Leaving
• Location
• Maternity Leave
• Maternity Pay
• Media Enquiries
• Medical Appointments
• Mobile Phones
• Money Laundering
• Moving internally
• Notice Periods
• Ordering goods and services
• Overtime Policy
• Parental Leave
• Parliamentary Candidates
• Paternity Leave
• Pay Day
• Pay Review
• PC Security
• Performance Improvement Policy
• Performance Reward Plan (PRP)
• Personal Information
• Personal Mail
• Personal Searches
• Phone Security
• Photography
• Place of work
• Press Enquiries
• Probation
• Professional Indemnity
• Professional Subscriptions
• Public Holidays
• Public Service
• Redundancy Policy
• Re-employment
• References
• Relationships
• Resignation
• Retirement Parties
• Retirement Policy
• Right to Search
• Safety when visiting external organisations
• Salary, Benefits and bonus
• Salary Review
• Security
• Security Passes
• Security Vetting
• Sickness Policy
• Smoking Policy
• Speeches and publications
• Sponsored Studies
• Substance Abuse Policy
• Tax Information
• Telephones and voicemail
• Time Cards
• Time off for Community Affairs
• Time off for Dependants
• Time off for Jury Service
• Time off for medical appointments
• Time off for public service
• Time off for Sponsored Studies
• Travel Expenses
• Travel Health Policy
• Using equipment
• Visiting external organisations
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Working beyond retirement age
• Working Time Directive
• Working your notice period
• Your obligations