Developing an employee handbook is an essential way to develop your veterinary practice’s culture and protect against litigation. Workplace dissatisfaction, conflicts, and even litigation are more likely to happen when employees don’t know what’s expected of them or the process for reporting discrimination, harassment, or other grievances. Creating an employee handbook is the first step to fairly and consistently applying your veterinary practice’s standards and policies.
Employment Policies and Procedures
Your employee handbook should include an introduction to your veterinary practice’s mission, culture, and values. It should also include clear statements about what’s expected of employees in terms of attendance, punctuality, attire, job performance, patient and client interactions, workplace communications, and other procedures.
If you add a new location in a different city, county, or state, you may need to revise your handbook or create a new one for employees in that specific location to reflect local laws. Additionally, as your practice grows, you may need to develop and Implement new policies and procedures to meet your veterinary practice’s unique challenges.
Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Procedures
Employee handbooks are important because they help veterinary practices remain in compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Specifically, the handbook should have clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment statements and procedures for filing claims. The handbook should include a step-by-step procedure for reporting discrimination and harassment, and for requesting accommodations due to a disability.
When employees report discrimination or harassment, the staff member in charge of implementing the handbook should take their report seriously and follow through with the remaining steps in the reporting policy. The handbook should make it clear that employees won’t be penalized in any way for reporting or participating in investigations related to discrimination and harassment.
Working with an attorney can be helpful for updating your handbook when employment laws change. This can help ensure your practice isn’t unintentionally violating one or more laws, which could lead to an expensive agency investigation or even a lawsuit. An attorney can provide legal experience, review your handbook for compliance with employment laws, and help you navigate complex legal issues, ensuring your handbook is fair and legally sound.
Employee Benefits
The handbook should clearly state all of the employment benefits available for staff members. A comprehensive benefits section not only informs employees about their entitlements but also demonstrates your commitment to their well-being, which can help attract and retain top talent.
Information regarding retirement accounts, such as 401ks, insurance policies, workers’ compensation policies, vacation time, and other employee benefits, should be clearly stated in the handbook. The handbook should also address how employees can best use their employee benefits. Spelling out how many vacation days and sick days employees have each year is also important.
Including Disciplinary Policies in Your Employee Handbook
Creating a handbook is an important first step, but it’s equally crucial to enforce its policies and procedures fairly. For example, if two employees arrive late, it’s essential to apply the standards in the handbook that relate to tardiness. If the tardiness persists, it’s important that both employees are asked to leave the company. This commitment to fair enforcement will help you avoid employment litigation and maintain good discipline within your veterinary practice.
Contact a Veterinary Practice Attorney
Creating a handbook for your veterinary practice can help you implement staff-wide policies and procedures. It can also help you protect against liability and ensure you’re treating your employees fairly across the board.
At Mahan Law, we understand that owners of veterinary practices are busy with their day-to-day operations. We can help you develop or update your community handbook to reflect your unique practice, needs, and goals. Contact Mahan Law to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.