The Career Suite

Podcast, “The Career Suite”
S1 E12
Title: The Owner’s Manual – Your Employee Handbook
Host: Helen G. Sneed
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Let's step inside The Career Suite, where Career conversations begin with you!

Welcome to "The Suite," and thank you for joining me today. In episode #11, we discussed the importance of checking for three things before leaving the house: your cell phone, keys, and wallet, as well as their workplace equivalents - the company's mission, your department's goals, and a pay-for-performance system.

As we delve deeper into the topic of performance, consider your most recent automobile purchase. Just like your car came with a vehicle owner's manual as a guide for maintenance and optimal performance, think of today’s conversation as a similar resource for your own performance. Consider your employee handbook as a resource to better navigate your Career GPS and achieve ideal performance.

This brings me to the question we are discussing in “The Suite” today: Do you fully understand the contents of your employee handbook and know who to go to for questions and clarification?

Hopefully, you requested a copy of or access to the employee handbook during the interview. You may have casually skimmed through it or focused on sections such as compensation and benefits. Every organization is unique, and not all employee handbooks are created equally. Unfortunately, you might work for an organization that doesn’t have an employee handbook which makes this episode even more valuable.

One of your goals is understanding the company policies, procedures, and expectations. By reading and understanding the employee handbook, you can ensure that you know the rules and guidelines you need to follow while working there. This will help minimize misunderstandings or mistakes that could cost you money, your job, or your reputation. If there’s no employee handbook, or it hasn’t been updated in last 12 months then you’ve just increased the likelihood of “not meeting” expectations.

A well-designed employee handbook will provide you with valuable information about your rights, shared responsibilities and benefits as an employee, as well as details about how to handle various situations that may arise in the workplace.

Believe, if you work with human beings then something will come up sooner or later. Reading the employee handbook is essential in becoming a knowledgeable, well-informed, and a responsible team member.

Storytime
I was interviewing a candidate (we'll call him Stan) a few years ago for an entry-level management position. The company provided a generous paid time off package, FMLA, short-term disability, and long-term disability. The base salary was $3,000.00 less than the local competitor, who didn't offer short or long term disability. Stan declined our offer.

11 months later, Stan needed surgery and was out of work for 8 weeks. Stan wasn't with the company long enough to earn his regular rate of pay during the first 6 weeks, and without short-term disability, he didn't receive 60% of his pay while on leave either. Stan had 2 weeks of pay and then found himself going 6 weeks without pay. Stan's financial loss was at least $7,500.00. Stan's situation isn't uncommon. I read complaints every day on Facebook about employees not understanding their benefits or people not having a financial safety net.

Car accidents, sports injuries, and sudden illnesses happen all the time. No one has a crystal ball; however, understanding the full suite of benefits your employer offers or doesn’t offer and how they work together is essential. Illness, accidents, and family growth are commonplace; being prepared is the next best thing to a crystal ball. That's why your employee handbook and knowing who to go to ask questions and are critical.

Today's take 3:
1) Take the time to learn and understand the employee handbook
2) Know who to go to with questions and seek clarification on topics you aren’t familiar with
3) Be prepared and plan for life to happen by keeping up to date on changes and having a financial safety net

Three “people” to seek out for questions and clarification:
1) Your HR manager/director/business partner
2) Your immediate supervisor – if you are a supervisor, that means you need to have a solid understanding of the employee handbook because your team may come to you and they rely on your insight and experience
3) Senior level management in Operations

The better you understand the company policies, procedures, and expectations, the more valuable you'll become to the team, the department, and the organization.

If you need help understanding, updating or designing an employee handbook email me and include your name & the organization to CEO@thecareersuite.com.

Join me again for Episode # 13, as we close out Season 1 and 2023 and prepare for Season 2 in 2024. We'll kick off Season 2 in 2024 with a new logo and we’ll focus on six areas of Human Resources that every organization needs to consider.

I'm Helen G. Sneed; join me again in “The Career Suite”, where I promise to save you a seat! You’ll be glad you did!