Construction Law
Does Your Employee Handbook Include These 3 Important Policies?
Your employee handbook is an important document that can help set clear rules and expectations for all of the workers under your employ. It can also be an effective cost-saving tool when drafted by a construction lawyer in Brentwood, TN. This is because an experienced construction lawyer understands the nuances of an effective employee handbook and how issues can be prevented through clearly stated policies.
Periodically updating your employee handbook is essential if you want to protect yourself against potential disputes with workers. You can’t be on the project site at all times to ensure that your workers are following all policies; it’s simply not feasible. Because of this, you need to have an airtight employee handbook to do the job for you. Aside from boosting employee accountability relating to safety on the project site, it can help you streamline your administrative efforts, reduce operating costs, and limit potential liability and legal costs.
In this brief article, a construction attorney in Brentwood, TN, will discuss three important policies that should be included in your employee handbook. For assistance drafting or revising your employee handbook to align with the latest labor laws and regulations, consult the experienced construction attorneys at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
1. Workplace Security
As instances of violence in the workplace continue to increase, it’s important for contractors to establish strong policies regarding workplace security. It should also include rules for weapons in the workplace. As an employer, you are in control of such policies. Generally, employers choose to bar weapons from the workplace to minimize their legal risk and prevent violence from escalating. That said, this policy is ultimately at your discretion as an employer, so choose wisely. Remember, your licensed employees can stash a firearm inside their vehicle without your consent. In addition to the weapons component of your overall security policy, you should reserve the right to perform a background check at any time. You must also have in place strict rules for dealing with other issues, including:
- Discharging a firearm on premises
- Off-site conduct
- Reporting procedures for acts of violence
2. Electronic Communications
The prevalence of electronic communications across nearly all industries requires sound policies that help manage private information and data. First and foremost, you should limit all electronic communications to work-related discussions and limit personal use of company devices. Your policy should also include examples of unacceptable communications, such as sending provocative or threatening messages to a coworker. You should also enforce all employees dealing with electronic communications to follow clear encryption procedures to protect private information.
3. Confidential Information and Conflicts of Interest
You might not think about the value of your intellectual property (IP) all that often, but it’s an important aspect of your business. When other entities start to benefit from your name, processes, and trade secrets, you’ll see just how valuable your IP is. Your employees need to understand, via the information contained in the employee handbook, that disclosing private information is grounds for termination or even legal action.
If you would like to speak with a construction law attorney in Brentwood, TN, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.