Human Resources (HR) Policy Manual Template

A Human Resource (HR) Policy manual is a document detailing an organization's policies regarding employee management and the relationship between managers and employees. Taking the form of either an employee handbook or an internal document used by management, it aims to describe workplace practices, hiring and termination procedures, and other pertinent information.

How to Write a Human Resource (HR) Policy Manual

If you are writing a hr policy handbook/manual, you should cover day-to-day workplace operations and general employee policies.

Start by reviewing all organizational policies regarding hiring, termination, compensation, promotions, dress code, complaint procedures, sick days, vacations, etc.

When starting the documentation, divide the document into several policy categories, for example "workplace behavior," "termination," "sexual harassment," etc. After this, you can proceed to writing organizational policy for each category. State the position of your organization regarding the given topic, the proper procedures for management and employees to take in each situation, and the reasons why.

Include a section detailing the procedures for dealing with complaints or grievances, outlining specific methods employees should use to express problems with the workplace or management. Also, Include a section detailing policies for exceptional circumstances, such as workplace emergencies, family deaths, etc.

Once your policies are competely laid out, add an introduction to your manual describing your organization's approach to human resources in general and how the policies within the manual adhere to this philosophy.

Before production/publication, show a draft of your manual to any legal advisers and stakeholders in the organization. Solicit advice, corrections, and additions.

Complete HR Policy Manual Template

Here is a complete near 100-page company HR policy manual containing a complete set of employment policies. The manual is divided into 4 sections:

• Employing Staff: Employing staff fairly and expertly, ensuring they are properly inducted, and ensuring they are aware of the required standards of business conduct including use of email and the internet.
  
• Managing Employee Performance: Setting Objectives, Assessing and Managing Employee Performance including Absences, Misconduct and Capability Issues
  
• Dealing with Employee Concerns: Hearing Grievances, Dealing with Bullying and Harassment, and making provisions for “Whistleblowing”
  
• Supporting Staff in the Workplace: ensuring Equality and Fairness in all aspects of Employment; dealing with Alcohol and Drug issues, and ensuring their Health and Safety is properly guarded.

You can download the document, and adapt for your own company. You can do a search on "" and replace with your company's name to give a complete HR Policy Manual which meets all the requirements of UK and European law, and as such meets best HR practice for use in most business environments.