If you’re reading this then you’re either wondering what a staff induction manual is or what you need to put in one. There’s a lot of information that can be included, and that information will vary from company to company, however there are some basics that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Firstly, staff induction manuals are important to ensure that all of the fresh newly appointed employees, whilst still brimming with excitement, actually get and have easy access to the induction training and information that they need. More than just informing and reinforcing the different aspects from the induction for your employees it provides a reference point for how they should act and what they need to do to keep themselves and their co-workers safe. This helps to minimise the hazards and risks present at the site, confusion on job roles and manage company expectations which all employees need to be aware of.
Here are some of the elements that all staff induction manuals should include:
· When building a staff induction manual, it is important to start off simple, so beginning with their job description is as good a place as any. This will help ensure that they have something to refer back to in order to help them understand and also confirm what it is they need to do in order to do their job. It also helps to confirm that you know they know what they need to do.
· Details are obviously going to be important, in this case details of who they can contact and the methods they can contact them by. This should be accompanied with the name and current positions of people within the company. It is important for all employees to have this information however it is vital for new employees to have it in particular when they are trying to find their feet and need to know where to look for help.
· A copy of the human resource manual, yes, a manual to go with a manual, should be included. The human resource manual should include a detailed copy (not so long that it will lose the interest of the readers however) of the company’s policies and procedures. This includes areas such as leave, how to dress, what to do in terms of an emergency (such as a fire, chemical spill or any sort of situation that is denoted to be an emergency in or around the company), what to do when needing to make a complaint against the company or have a grievance with another employee.
· It is important to include any information regarding security procedures that are in place. This does not necessarily have to be an alarm system, it can also include procedures for locking and unlocking doors, accessing restricted areas or access to areas after-hours.
· If it isn’t covered anywhere else, then details regarding the terms and conditions of their employment should also be included. This should be information regarding their employment probation information as well as what behaviour is and is not acceptable at the company and what sort of behaviour is grounds for dismissal.
· Lastly, any relevant marketing information, pamphlets etc. should be included as it can be useful for them also to get a better feel for the company and just general promotion if appropriate.