Staff Handbooks vs. Cheat Sheets: Which is Right for Me?

Both our Custom Staff Handbooks and annual Labor Law Cheat Sheets help simplify your organization’s HR by demystifying ever-changing compliance rules and regulations, but each serves a separate and unique purpose. Thinking about purchasing one (or both!)? Read this before you do and find out what product is right for your organization!

What is a Staff Handbook?

The main purpose of a Staff Handbook is to serve as an important communication tool between an organization and its staff. In order to ensure compliance with all applicable and required policies, a handbook should be specific to both the employer’s location (i.e., state and in some cases even county/city) and the employer’s specific employee count. There can be numerous differences between the requirements of an employer with 5 employees and one with 50, even in the same state.

The overarching goals of a compliant Staff Handbook include:

  • Clearly communicate employee rights and applicable benefits, required and optional

  • Set workplace standards to guide employee behavior

  • Encourage organization-wide understanding of performance expectations

  • Equip employees with valuable information

  • Demonstrate commitment to operating above reproach in all areas 

  • Prepare for growth and expansion

  • Ensure a solid organizational foundation

Once an organization has created a compliant handbook, it becomes imperative that document maintains compliance. State and federal laws are constantly changing and thus an organization’s handbook should be reviewed and updated annually.

We recommend meeting with an HR Advisor at least once a year to discuss any labor law changes that have been made to determine if any edits are needed. Then, do a complete overhaul every 2 years. If you just purchased a Custom Staff Handbook last year, aren’t a HR On Call client with a dedicated advisor (or are and just want to save your time with your advisor for more pressing matters!), this is where our Labor Law Cheat Sheets comes in!

What is a Labor Law Cheat Sheet?

Labor Law Cheat Sheets are quick, state-specific guides that help guide an employer in ensuring their practices are up-to-date and compliant. While they’re definitely not a substitute for the consistent annual practice of thoroughly reviewing your handbook for compliance and required updates, they are a great place to start! The user-friendly, PDF guides are a perfect reference that give a quick snapshot of important, state-specific compliance details such as:

  • Minimum Wage/Salary

  • Overtime Laws

  • Meal/Rest Breaks

  • Pay Laws & Frequency

  • Final Pay Requirements

  • Vacation & Sick Time Laws

  • Maternity, Family & Other Required Leaves

  • Harassment Prevention Training Requirements

  • Policy Updates

Labor Law Cheat Sheets help an employer rapidly identify their responsibilities regarding key compliance areas, but are definitely not intended to serve as a complete handbook. While a Custom Staff Handbook is specific to both the employer’s location and size, Labor Law Cheat Sheets provide a quick reference guide to overarching compliance details, not employer-specific information.

So Which is Right for You?

That depends. We encourage purchasing your state’s Labor Law Cheat Sheet annually as a handy and cost-effective resource to strengthen your HR toolbox! But if you don’t have a compliant, updated Custom Staff Handbook, skip the snapshot and sign up to get your handbook started right away! Creating and maintaining an employer-specific, compliant handbook can be a daunting task, and we love partnering with churches and nonprofits to ensure they have a custom and comprehensive handbook that will help set them up for success. A dedicated HR Advisor walks clients through the process from beginning to end, helping determine best practices and making recommendations along the way.

(Even armed with a compliant Custom Staff Handbook and a Labor Law Cheat Sheet, you might want a little more personalized and continuous help. HR On Call is our ongoing solution for churches that want to get compliant and stay compliant no matter what situation might arise.)

Quick Glance Comparison

 

Click below to begin the process for your new Custom Staff Handbook OR purchase your 2023 Labor Law Cheat Sheet!

 
 
 

Liz Lindamood is an HR Project Coordinator at HR Ministry Solutions. She has a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and got her first taste of HR while attending the Joshua Wilderness Institute at Hume Lake Christian Camps. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two boys.

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