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Employee Handbook Template (Microsoft Word)

This is a ready-to-use Word template for employers and HR departments to welcome new staff and explain, in plain and friendly language, what it is like to work at their organisation. It is written for employees and complements the more detailed HR Policy and Procedures Manual. The handbook includes: Welcome: a welcome letter from the CEO and a note on how to use the handbook. About us: company story, vision, values and structure. Getting started: a first-week checklist, documents needed and probation. How we work: working hours, attendance, overtime, remote work and communication. Pay and benefits: pay day, payslips, benefits and expenses. Time off: leave entitlements and a public holiday calendar. Performance and growth: reviews, learning and career progression. Conduct: standards of conduct, IT security, speaking up, and how problems are handled. Health, safety and wellbeing: safety rules and emergency contacts. Leaving the company: notice and the exit process. Help: frequently asked questions and key contacts. Acknowledgement: a signature form for each employee. “At a glance” summary boxes and tip callouts make the handbook easy to scan. The template helps organisations onboard staff faster, set clear expectations and answer common questions. How to use Personalise: add your logo, and replace all text in [square brackets] with your company’s details, contacts and figures. Write the welcome: ask your CEO or managing director to write a short, warm welcome letter. Check entitlements: make sure working hours, leave, benefits and notice periods match your employment contracts, your HR Policy Manual and the labour law. Tailor content: add, remove or reorder sections to suit your organisation, and keep the tone friendly and simple. Finalise: delete the guidance box, update the contents page (right-click, then Update Field), and have HR and management approve the handbook. Distribute: give the handbook to every new employee during induction. Have each one sign the Employee Acknowledgement and file it in their personnel record. Keep it current: update the version number and tell staff whenever policies change, and review the handbook at least once a year.