Employee handbooks should be reviewed every year to ensure the language still matches your actual practices. However, reviews may need to be done more often if any federal or state employment laws change or are passed. Current guidelines from the NLRB about handbook language need to be considered as well.

You also need to update it when you hire employees working in a different state as each state's laws impact several policies throughout the handbook, not just the obvious ones such as paid time off.

Consider having an HR consultant or employment attorney complete a thorough review every year or two, revising as needed, to ensure the legal language is current and correct, minimizing your obligations and exposure.

Affinity HR Group is BSCAI's endorsed HR partner, providing HR support, recruiting and employee engagement services.  For a link to our menu of services for BSCAI members, go to www.AffinityHRGroup.com/BSCAI