Construction Law

Who Should Draft Your Employee Handbook? featured image

Who Should Draft Your Employee Handbook?

A well-drafted employee handbook is a powerful tool that can be used to reduce the risk of employee lawsuits by establishing a clear set of rules and regulations that must be followed at all times. Ideally, your handbook will have your back when the unexpected occurs, effectively relieving you of any responsibility when a worker takes ill-advised actions that don’t represent your values as a contractor. Unfortunately, a subpar employee handbook is more likely to do harm than good, so contractors must be careful when deciding who will draft their employee handbook, as it could have long-term ramifications down the line.

In this article, a construction attorney in Brentwood, TN, will detail who is the best candidate for drafting your employee handbook. Remember, even if your business already has an employee handbook, this document must be periodically updated to align with all current laws and regulations pertaining to the construction industry. At Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, our experienced attorneys can draft, review, or update your employee handbook for a nominal, monthly fee as part of our subscription plan program.

Should I Draft My Own Employee Handbook?

As a contractor, you’ve spent years observing your workforce. You know which jobs put them at the most risk and which actions have no place on the project site. You can probably spot an incoming workers’ compensation claim from a mile away and sniff out an upcoming inspection from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) well-before the inspector arrives. Surely you know what’s best for your workforce, right?

Although it may seem sensible for a contractor to write their own employee handbook, the truth is that a contractor’s individual experience doesn’t safeguard them from the unknown. Just because you’re familiar with certain construction-related issues doesn’t mean you’re prepared to cover yourself against every eventuality. We recommend hiring a construction law attorney in Brentwood, TN, to draft your employee handbook.

Cotney Attorneys & Consultants

When a lawyer drafts your employee handbook, you can breathe easy knowing that your business is protected against a wide range of unadvised employee actions. Your workers are responsible for reading, comprehending, and understanding this document, so you want to make sure that you’re covering all of your bases. A lawyer is the perfect professional to accomplish this goal. 

Keep in mind that litigation against companies is on the rise, and you could theoretically prevent the lion’s share of issues by investing in a well-drafted employee handbook before a crisis throws your project into a tailspin. Does your current employee handbook detail how complaints are handled? What about issues related to harassment? Or substance abuse? Consult a construction lawyer in Brentwood, TN, to ensure that your business is protected.

If you would like to speak with a construction lawyer 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.