Reasons It’s Time for a Handbook Refresh – You Might Be Overdue!
By: Nicole Solecki
We often find businesses get behind in updating their employee handbooks. There are many reasons to update your employee handbook. At HRBoost, we have found it is best you do on an annual basis. One of the key factors is staying in compliance with current state and federal laws. Several new laws were introduced in many states in the beginning of 2024. Many may need to have been amended in your handbook to ensure you are acknowledging your adherence to said laws. It’s also a good idea so you stay up to date on all the laws that may have changed in your state. Not staying up to date on the changing laws could lead to costly fines or even employment claims against you.
In Illinois in particular, the state rolled out a new Paid Leave for All Workers Act which requires all businesses, regardless of size, to offer up to 40 hours of paid leave per year. There are many other requirements within this Act that might cause confusion for you or your employees. Here at HRBoost®, we are experts on the finer points of implementation of this law and would be happy to discuss and ensure your handbook follows them all. Of course the attorney’s are best to bless the final Handbooks but drafting an actual policy to match your culture and compliance needs is best suited with qualified Human Resources practitioners.
Some other new laws in Illinois you might need to add to your handbook include Illinois Family Bereavement Leave and Illinois Child Extended Bereavement Leave. The city of Chicago also updated their sexual harassment requirements on July 1, 2022. We can review or create your handbook to ensure you are up to date on all laws and maintain compliance since the last refresh. We also provide Anti-Harassment training in all 50 states. Learn more here.
Another reason to refresh your handbook is outdated policies. If you’ve had a handbook that has not been changed in years, you’ll probably be surprised at the number of outdated policies your company likely has. When we have reviewed handbooks with our clients, we have found many do not have the most up to date information which can be confusing for your employees. Common changes include dress codes, remote work policies, paid time off, bereavement, among many others. In our process, we go through each policy with you to ensure the most up to date information is in your handbook. One of the most dangerous things in employee administration is having practices that fail to match what your handbook says or vice versa. If this raises red flags for you, give us a call for a free consultation. We are happy to provide the HRBoost you may be seeking.
At HRBoost® we know handbooks. We know the most current laws. And we would love the opportunity to share our knowledge with you. #handbookcompliance #newlaws2024 #policyrefresh #ignoranceisnotbliss
