Do Staff Actually Read Your Employee Handbook?
Do you know that research from GuideSpark suggests that 43% of generation Y are not reading the majority of the employee handbook, and 33% of non-generation Y are also not fully reading the handbook. It gets worse really, as this survey shows that 11% of generation Y have not actually even opened the employee handbook and 36% of non generation Y have no idea where there handbook is. To top it all off, the final nail in the coffin for employees is that just 1 in 3 people find employee handbooks helpful.
So how do you get staff to actually read the handbook?
1. Signing the handbook
Of course the obvious way to deal with this problem of not reading the handbook is to have people read and sign the employee handbook confirming that they have read it. You can do this by simply asking employees to email back to you that they have read and understood the employee handbook within 7 days of joining, and you could even make it into a new hire, on-boarding task. Give them a list of tasks to complete in the first week, with ‘reading the employee handbook‘ being top priority.
2. Employee Handbook Quiz
This doesn’t mean that they have read it, as many people sign far more important documents than employee handbooks without reading every page in detail. One good way to encourage them to actually read it is by preparing a research quiz which new hires must complete during their induction period, and which forces the employee to educate themselves about key handbook policies in order to derive the correct answers.
Typical questions might be:
1.What is the procedure for reporting my sickness absence to the business?
2.What should I do if I have a problem with my work or a colleague?
3.What is the maximum amount of leave I can take in one go?
4.How many days unused leave may I carry over into the next business year?
5.What can I do I am being harassed in any way?
6.What are my data protection responsibilities?
7.What is the correct way to make a request for flexible working?
3. Highlight Pertinent Content
Another way to get people to read the employee handbook is by ensuring that pertinent content is highlighted when you are pitching the content. Ensure that any written communication about the handbook explains the value to them, e.g. you’ll need to read and understand the employee handbook . It contains essential information on how to
- book your holidays
- report an absence
- claim expenses
- make a request to work from home or flexibly
- Sign up for benefits
- request training or personal development
4. Use an Engaging Writing and Presentation Style
Some organizations have chosen to write and present their handbook in a creative, innovative, funny and engaging way in order to boost readability. There are two examples of this.
- Zingermans. (A Michigan based deli chain). Their employee handbook is full of anecdotes, satirical drawings, games, humour, witty observations, funny fonts a
- Valve. They are a games developer who have also produced a clever, witty, entertaining and graphically enhanced staff handbook.
Both of these companies who use this modern, entertaining and almost journalistic style of handbook presentation have found that not only do more people read the handbook, but that they refer to it on a much more regular basis.
By incorporating some or all of these 4 features you can help to ensure that your employee handbook is both compelling and informative for your staff.
5.Use a Quality Employee Handbook
A quality employee handbook such as the one produced by thecareercafe.co.uk will be informative, pertinent and engaging. If you would like to download Thecareercafe.co.uk Employee Handbook, please click here.
