Does the employer need to have a handbook?

There is no legal obligation for an employer to have an employee handbook. The employer is however, obliged to provide the employees with a written summary of the procedure to be used if it should become necessary to dismiss them. Employers are also obliged to provide details of the procedure applicable to taking disciplinary action and specific details in relation to how employees raise a grievance matter. This information is outlined within the handbook.

In addition, the handbook is an opportunity for employers to set out the standards they expect from employees in different situations e.g. performance, attendance, and timekeeping. Clear policies and procedures can help to avoid uncertainty and disputes between the employer and the employee, and can also provide guidelines as to how to deal with such situations as they may arise.