Employee Manual and Handbook

Employee manuals and handbooks are guides that employers provide their employees when the begin work. They generally outline the expectations of the employer, as well as the various benefits available to the employee. Employment manuals are a valuable tool for establishing workplace standards, as well as helping employees understand culture of their new job.

In South Carolina, it is public policy that a "handbook, personnell manual, policy, procedure, or other document...shall not create an express or implied contract of employment if it is conspicuously disclaimed..." S.C. Code Ann. § 41-1-110. This policy, however, only applies to handbooks, manuals, etc. issued by an employer after June 30, 2004.

Sections in Policy Manuals

Compensation: A good employee manual should include information about an employee's compensation. Keep in mind that S.C. Code Ann. § 41-10-10 et al sets forth specific instructions for prompt payment of wages. Your employee manual should indicate when wages are paid, how wages are calculated, and how salary arrangements are made. Additionally, indicate the method, if any, by which raises or determined.

Appraisal Guidelines: Your employees should understand the basis and opportunity for receiving a raise. Make it clear if and when they will be evaluated, and indicate who will be responsible for their evaluation. Without performance requirements, employees will not be able to please their employer, and thus will suffer a lossin job satisfaction. 

Employee Benefits: Indicate the types of benefits, if any, that are available to employees, and how benefit elibigility is determined. For instance, indicate whether or not part-time employees receive benefits, or if an employee is only eligible for benefits after certain amount of time with the company.

Attendance Policy: Vacation days, personal days, sick days and holidays should all be defined by the employee manual.