The Importance of Having an Employee Handbook
An Employee Handbook– often referred to as the employee manual– is a book/document containing information about the company and its policies and procedures. It is given to employees by the employer, typically when they first join the organisation.
This manual is an excellent place to compile all important information pertaining to the company rules and regulations. It can provide useful details for new staff during the induction process and can be a good reference point for existing employees. An employee handbook gives clarity to employees, advises them in certain situations and creates a culture where problems are addressed in a consistent manner.
An employee handbook communicates all of your workplace and HR policies and protects a business from expensive disputes with employees. The Workplace Relations Commission aims to promote the improvement of workplace relations, encourage compliance with the relevant laws and provide guidance in relation to compliance with codes of practice. If a WRC inspector visits your workplace, they may ask to see the company handbook to determine whether or not the company has appropriate policies and procedures in place and that it adopts the appropriate measures when various workplace scenarios arise.
To mention but a few, the most important policies/procedure to have in place in Ireland are;
1. Grievance Policy
2. Disciplinary Procedure
3. Dignity at Work
4. Health & Safety
An employee must be issued with a copy of the grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures within the first 28 days of commencing employment. We recommend ensuring the employee has access to the full contents of the Employee Handbook within this time frame.
At The HR Company, we draft customised contracts of employment and handbooks to suit your business needs. Continue 2025 fully HR compliant. Book a Free Consultation today.
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Published on: June 17, 2015
Last updated: December 2, 2025
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The HR Company was founded in 2000 by Philip Carney, former Head of Human Resources at Microsoft’s European Operations Centre (now EMEA), and Angela O’Grady, former Staffing and Recruiting Manager at Microsoft. That background still shapes how we help a wide range of Irish employers today.
We are 100% Irish-owned, and our focus is Irish employment law and the businesses that operate under it. Over the years, we have supported more than 1,200 businesses across Ireland, ranging from small teams to large employers. Our work is backed by ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certification, so your HR support and your data are handled to a recognised standard. That mix of real HR background, Irish ownership, and certified process is what employers find confidence in, letting them carry on with their work while we handle their HR solutions.
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