Employee Handbooks:  Ensure Uniform Application

Your employee handbook is an important document in protecting your business.  But even more important is the uniform application of the policies and procedures contained in it.   This is especially important if you are a small employer and employ family and non-family members.  You need to be careful about how the personnel handbook is drafted so you can comfortably enforce those policies and procedures against both family and non-family employees.  The key is to ensure that you, as the employer, retain a large amount of discretion in the enforcement and application of those policies.  However, keep in mind that appearance is everything in maintaining an efficient workplace and in raising employee morale.  Avoid the appearance of favoritism in the handbook and in its enforcement.