Every employer should maintain an employment policy manual or employee handbook.  This is a first step in employer defense against disputes with employees and expensive litigious claims with state and federal agencies.  Therefore, the Watkins Firm provides its clients with an “Employee Handbook Preparation Package” which ensures full compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

An employee handbook is a document outlining the employer’s policies and procedures with regard to issues such as working hours, overtime, paid time off, rest breaks, and expectations for workplace conduct.  Employee handbooks establish the conduct expected of employees as well as provide protections for the employer by clearly stating the anti-harassment and discipline policies of the employer.  Failure to state the policies in writing allows employees to claim you DON’T have any.

California labor laws are constantly changing.   An employee handbook is only effective if it is up to date.  Employers must be able to document consistent dissemination of this information throughout the organization, as well as receipt of the employee handbook by all employees, so that they are on notice of the employer’s policies.

The problem is that most law firms charge too much for an employee handbook.  Or, the employee handbook you receive online or from your payroll service company is not customized to your business and lacks new and relevant state laws.  As a solution, the employment lawyers at the Watkins Firm have created a reasonably priced and individually tailored “Employee Handbook Preparation Package” which will not only safeguard your business from lawsuits but will also make your business compliant with California’s rapidly changing labor laws.

The Watkins Firm, APC  “Employee Handbook Preparation Package” includes employment best practices such as the following:

• Initial phone call with HR Consultant to discuss employee handbook questionnaire & current employment practices
• First draft of Employee Handbook
• New Hire Legal Notice
• Mandatory Arbitration Clause (if requested)
• Follow up call to discuss Employee Handbook after client reviews (up to 1 hour).
• One additional revision to handbook following phone call
• Complete handbook provided in Word and PDF format

The Employee Handbook Preparation Package represents a substantial insurance against employee disputes, wage and hour litigation, unpaid overtime claims and other employee related litigation for only a small investment in your business of $500.

Any additional changes and phone consultations after the above services will be billed at an hourly rate.  Any other documents such as meal waivers or employment agreements will also be billed on an hourly basis.

If you are interested in learning more about the Watkins Firm’s Employee Handbook Preparation Package and how it can protect your business while helping to maximize employee productivity we invite you to contact our office or call 858-535-1511 for more details.