Why You Should Have an Employee Manual

An employee manual provides a consistent set of rules and regulations for governing the working conditions, behavior and activities of practice personnel. This is done through effective practice policies. It also tells employees what to do as a general staff member as well as specifically on their job, and this is done through proper job descriptions.



Many benefits come to the practice when workplace standards are clearly communicated to its employees. Studies have shown that, compared to their counterparts, employees receiving effective office policies and job descriptions tend to:



• Work more productively

• Have decreased turnover and absenteeism

• Cooperate rather than conflict with other employees

• Maintain better team morale

• Provide a higher quality of work



If you want to improve the productivity, profitability and patient care in the practice, effective communication of your expectations of the utmost importance. An employee manual with office policies and appropriate job descriptions is a vital tool for fostering communication and teamwork.



A well-written manual also helps to protect both the practice and employees from legal violations relative to the vast subject of employment law. Discriminatory violations in hiring, firing and supervision can be extremely costly. To help prevent illegal and unfair employment practices and to save the business from time consuming and expensive legal actions, a carefully prepared employee manual is vital.



Silkin Management Group suggests that such a manual be provided for each position in the office with the following sections included.



General Staff Section:



This section is part of every employee’s manual. It would include all material relating to the general duties, policies and procedures that are common to all staff such as:



• The Mission Statement of the practice

• Job Description of an ideal staff member

• General job duties of staff members

• General office procedures

• Office policies that cover all employees



Job Description for Specific Positions



This section would include all information pertinent to the individual job position (i.e. receptionist, financial coordinator, etc.). It would include:



• The purpose, product and statistics of the position

• A listing of all the job duties for that position

• A description of how to perform the job duties

• Specific procedural policies for the position



Reference Section:



This section would contain all reference material pertinent to the position as well as management references that will be distributed by the owner or office manager over time.



Prior to issuing any policy that has to do in any way with employment issues (hiring, firing, discrimination, harassment, etc.) be sure to consult with a good employment attorney who is familiar with the laws, rules and regulations that exist in your area. Each state, county and/or city may have different statutes or ordinances influencing employee policies. It is therefore imperative that you have your manual and employment practices reviewed by legal counsel with particular expertise in the employment laws of the country, state and city you reside in.



Silkin Management Group has a 400 page Office Policy and Job Description Manual that can act as a template for your employee manual. It is easily edited for any office.







Author Bio :



Jaff alvo is an experienced author, who has written articles on various health and financial subject. Please view my link on Silkin Management Group and Silkin Management Group.