2010 statistics show there were 99,922 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) charges filed, more than a 7% increase from the 93,277 charges filed in 2009. A basic and common employer defense is an up-to-date and relevant company Employee Handbook.

Protection

• Increase the chances to prevail against potential litigation by demonstrating that you clearly communicated to all employees your company’s workplace policies and guidelines.
• Avoid conflicts of interest that could be detrimental to the company’s brand and market competitiveness.
• Inform employees of their responsibilities to protect confidential company information.
• Define acceptable standards of workplace behavior by identifying and prohibiting specific unlawful employee acts and activities.
• Minimize frivolous requests and unreasonable demands from employees for special considerations or exceptions.

Efficiency

• Establish guidelines for management to make quicker and more consistent decisions while reducing the risks of unfair employee treatment complaints or lawsuits.
• Detail critical policies such as at-will employment to minimize legal landmines.
• Place greater responsibility on employees to ensure workplace compliance regulations by describing employee roles and expectations as well as the consequences for policy violations.
• Save management time and effort by providing employees a direct single-source reference that addresses common workplace matters.

Communication

• Capture proof from employees to acknowledge receipt of the Employee Handbook.
• Demonstrate your company’s good faith efforts of sharing information that is crucial to all of your employees.
• Reflect the company’s vision, mission, and values in line with the company’s strategic business direction.