Frequently Asked Questions about the Certified Employee Handbook.

1. The bargain priced handbooks claim to be EEOC and FMLA compliant and to have state-by-state compliance information included.  How is the Certified Employee Handbook different?

   Real world employment law experience.  The Certified Employee Handbook was developed by practicing management-side employment attorneys who know the issues.  The fact is that the bargain handbooks may be able to cut and paste the elements of statutory provisions, but can they say that their handbook incorporates key exceptions (that favor the employer) to statutory provisions that have been established through case law?  We can.  Can they say that the language of their handbook is clear and legally unambiguous in order to prevent a court from construing it against the employer as its drafter.  We can.  That's why before you purchase the Certified Employee Handbook we encourage you to review the sample found on our home page and request similar samples from others.  After a side-by-side comparison we are confident you'll find that the level of strategic detail contained in the Certified Employee Handbook makes it superior to the boiler plate form handbooks being sold by the "HR experts."

   Remember, the purpose of setting company policy through the issuance of an employee handbook is twofold: (1) to establish clear policies that employees can follow; and (2) limiting exposure to legal liability.  With respect to the latter, plaintiff's attorneys don't care if you are a large or small company when they are critiquing your policies for loopholes.  So, if you are going to take the time to prepare an employee handbook, you're much better off making every reasonable effort to do it right the first time.

    

2. What's the difference between the "employee handbook software" and the Certified Employee Handbook?

   Many of the "HR experts" have re-packaged their inferior handbooks in the form of a software product.  Again, they claim to have the requisite expertise, but very few actually do.  The fact that their product is produced on a CD-Rom is simply irrelevant to the issue of quality content and coverage. 

    

3. Why do I need an Employee Handbook? 

   Employers may be held responsible for the acts of their employees.  This doctrine is referred to in the law as "respondeat superior," a Latin term, which roughly translated, means let the superior give the answer.  This is especially true if you can't establish that such acts were specifically prohibited in your company.  A published Employee Manual can be used to show that specific actions were deliberately taken in conscious violation of your company policy and therefore assist in limiting the company's responsibility to answer for them.  It also helps shift the onus for complying with government workplace, safety and other regulations to employees by putting them on notice of these responsibilities.
   
   There are also practical business reasons to have an Employee Manual.  For instance, employees cannot excuse conduct that is harmful to your company by claiming ignorance.  Supervisors also become more effective because disciplinary decisions can be made based on the Employee Manual, leaving all employees with a feeling of fairness and consistency. 

    

4. Why do I need a written Sexual Harassment Policy?

   Most employers, as well as the "HR Experts," are completely unaware of the significant protections that a well written sexual harassment policy can provide.  Ask an employment attorney, however, and they'll tell you that a written policy may provide your business with a crucial "affirmative defense" in case of an employee lawsuit alleging sexual harassment.  In short, by providing your employees with a written policy of how to respond to and report sexual harassment, you compel them to share responsibility for the work environment and can limit your liability in instances where the policy is ignored.

    

5. After purchase, how will I download the Certified Employee Handbook?

   After PayPal© confirms your credit card information you will be sent a download link via email.  If you have difficulty downloading, however, just contact us for guaranteed delivery of the templates via e-mail within one business day.

    

6. Is there any way to purchase the Certified Employee Handbook other than through PayPal©?

   Yes.  Point your browser to http://www.regsoft.net/purchase.php3?productid=53868 for other available payment options.

    

7. Is the Certified Employee Handbook compatible with all word processors?  What about Macintosh PC's?

   The package you will download contains Rich Text Format templates.  The Rich Text Format templates are compatible with just about every word processor program and appear to also work well for our customers using a Macintosh PC.  Please note that if you are running a MAC and experience difficulty extracting the files following download, all you have to do is contact us and we will promptly e-mail the templates to you.

    

8. How long will it take to edit the Certified Employee Handbook?

   It can be done in as little as one-half hour, depending on the scope of your needs.  Remember, the Certified Employee Handbook was designed to be exhaustive in its coverage.  Therefore, you may need to take some time to review the table of contents to determine which sections you may wish to omit.  The creation of a "print-ready" handbook is also dependant upon your word processing skills.