State laws change—does your employee handbook? Free template!

Your employee handbook needs regular updates, but most companies treat this like a tedious compliance task instead of an opportunity to keep employees informed and protected. With state laws changing constantly and new workplace policies emerging, an outdated handbook can create confusion, risk and missed expectations.

The biggest mistake? Letting your handbook sit untouched for years until a problem forces a scramble. By then, you may have fallen behind on HR requirements, workplace trends and employee needs. An effective annual review process keeps your handbook relevant, aligned and useful.

What should you consider at a minimum when reviewing your employee handbook? Cover the essentials:

• State law and other requirement changes, such as new paid leave requirements, pay transparency rules or minimum wage updates.

• Policy updates, where applicable, reflecting remote and hybrid arrangements and current workplace realities.

• A clear sign-off process that documents employees received, reviewed and acknowledged updates.

• Real-world examples showing how new policies apply to daily situations.

Make handbook reviews routine, not reactive. Your employees (and your legal team) will thank you.