Category: employee handbook

Employee Handbooks for Construction Companies

Eric Lorenzen

We design professional-grade Employee Handbooks for construction companies, customized to your specific situation. We handle the whole process, from consult to completion, crafting your employee policies into a comprehensive written manual. The final result: a custom Construction Employee Handbook that’s ready to distribute to your team

You have enough work on your plate, as does everyone in your office. Let Us take care of this for you.

3 Reasons to get a Custom Employee Handbook

“Very thorough and took the time to understand my business.”

Roger B

1. A Complete and Comprehensive Service

We design employee handbooks that meet each client’s needs and wants. We do a thorough review of your current policies and we take the time to understand what you need to get into writing. When we’re done, your new policy manual will be ready-to-use.

Compared to trying to create a handbook by using a template or a software program, you will:

  • Save 120 labor hours (or more) on research, formatting, and editing
  • Save hundreds of dollars in labor costs
  • Save the headaches of trying to understand what applies to your business and what doesn’t

2. Compliant with Federal, State, and Local Laws

We design employee handbooks that comply with the laws for your state, industry, and employee count. All of the core employee policies that we use have been reviewed by one of the country’s leading labor law firms.

Your employee policies will be clear, concise, and complete:

  • Define employee benefits such as PTO, vacation, sick leave, and  holidays
  • Establish employee behavior standards, including dress code, customer interactions, and use of company property
  • Clarify mandatory policies such as at-will employment, anti-discrimination, and overtime rules

3. Customized to your Specific Business

We design employee handbooks that reflect each client’s unique culture and priorities. We customize policies to match your established rules and benefits. We also add policies to reflect your specific niche in the construction industry. Are you doing new construction and/or remodeling? Are you a design & build firm or you a company focused on retrofitting and upgrades? Each niche has its own unique approach to employee policies and work environment. We will make sure your Construction Employee Handbook reflects your business needs and wants.

Your custom employee handbook will capture specifics like:

  • Phone, text, and social media rules
  • Vehicle safety, business expense reimbursements, and heat exposure
  • Jobsite security and client privacy

“The service was excellent. Eric always got back to us in a timely manner, and was extremely professional.”

Leslie O.
Custom Employee Handbook

We offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consult, where we discuss your needs
and determine pricing for your customized employee handbook for your construction company.
Go ahead and Pick the Day and Time for your free phone consult with Eric.

Schedule Phone Meeting
5 Steps to an Employee Handbook by New Wind

Each employee handbook is custom designed for that client, with a unique mix of policies to reflect that construction company’s particular standards and priorities. There are 5 steps to the process of getting a completed employee handbook:How long does it take to complete a custom employee handbook? Each project has its own timeline. It may take two weeks or two months- the timing really depends on the client. We want to complete your project in a timely fashion, but we also understand that some clients need time to decide on things, so we will not rush you. On our end, we promise prompt and professional response times.

“I like that you guys did all the work! Made it super easy for me.”

Genessy R.

Get Started with New Wind

We offer a free phone consult. You have nothing to lose except twenty minutes of time as we talk about your business pains and how we might be able to solve them.

This is a get-to-know-each-other meeting where we establish a firm price for designing an employee handbook for your organization.

This is also an opportunity for you to find out if New Wind is the right business consultant for you. We want it to be a good fit between us. So let’s talk and we’ll see where it leads. Go ahead and Pick the Day and Time for your free phone consult with Eric.

Schedule Phone Meeting
What is the Price for a handbook

How much does it cost to get a professional employee handbook? That’s a fair question. We offer three types of handbook designing services: Pro Grade Employee Handbook™, Pro Grade 50 Employe Handbook™, and Pro Grade Plus Employee Handbook™.

Please see our Pricing page to learn more about the cost for a professionally designed, customized employee handbook.

Our Commitment at New Wind

Employee policies and labor laws can get confusing, but there’s no reason for you to stay confused. Not when you can lean on us. Are you concerned about what policies are required for your staff? Well, at New Wind we work with you to design a custom employee handbook that’s just right for you. Get an employee handbook that’s comprehensive, while also being a practical help in your day-to-day managing of your team.

Have New Wind craft an Employee Handbook that is unique to your particular organization, considering its size, industry, and location. We will put in the policies that you need and want, and we will make sure that you understand the “why” behind each. It’s all part of our commitment to our clients, which is:

We design professional Employee Handbooks,
customized to your Specific Situation.

Contact New Wind
New Wind Business Solutions

Pro Grade Employee Handbook™, Pro Grade 50 Employee Handbook™, and Pro Grade Plus Employee Handbook™ are trademarks of New Wind Business Solutions.

New Wind Business Solutions designs professional, customized employee handbooks for new start-ups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and medium-sized businesses. We have experience consulting and training with businesses from a variety of industries and from around the country.

Schedule your phone consultation today.

Schedule a Phone Consult with New Wind

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Texas Employee Handbooks

Texas Employee Handbooks

Eric Lorenzen

Do you have a Texas business or nonprofit that needs an Employee Handbook? At New Wind, we design professional-grade Employee Handbooks, customized to your specific situation. We have crafted employee policies for organizations throughout the state, from Houston to Dallas to Austin. Our employee handbooks reflect all the current Texas labor laws, including local sick leave policies.

We handle the whole process, from consult to completion, crafting your employee policies into a comprehensive written manual. The final result: a custom Texas Employee Handbook that’s ready to distribute to your team.

3 Reasons to get a Custom Employee Handbook

“We are ready to go. Thanks so much!”

Kathleen M.
owner of a Texas restaurant and bakery

“The service was excellent. Eric always got back to us in a timely manner, and was extremely professional.”

Leslie O.
vice president of a wholesale and distribution company
Custom Employee Handbook
Schedule Phone Meeting

We offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consult, where we discuss your needs
and determine pricing for your customized Texas employee handbook.
Go ahead and Pick the Day and Time for your free phone consult with Eric.

5 Steps to an Employee Handbook by New Wind

Each employee handbook is custom designed for that client, with a unique mix of policies to reflect that company’s particular standards and priorities. There are 5 steps to the process of getting a completed Texas employee handbook:How long does it take to complete a custom employee handbook for your Texas business? Each project has its own timeline. It may take two weeks or two months- the timing really depends on the client. We want to complete your project in a timely fashion, but we also understand that some clients need time to decide on things, so we will not rush you. On our end, we promise prompt and professional response times.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

June C.
CEO of a Texas money services company

Get Started with New Wind

We offer a free phone consult. You have nothing to lose except twenty minutes of time as we talk about your business pains and how we might be able to solve them.

This is a get-to-know-each-other meeting where we establish a firm price for designing an employee handbook for your organization.

This is also an opportunity for you to find out if New Wind is the right business consultant for you. We want it to be a good fit between us. So let’s talk and we’ll see where it leads. Go ahead and Pick the Day and Time for your free phone consult with Eric.

Schedule Phone Meeting
New Wind Business Solutions

Pro Grade Employee Handbook™, Pro Grade 50 Employe Handbook™, and Pro Grade Plus Employee Handbook™ are trademarks of New Wind Business Solutions.

New Wind Business Solutions designs professional, customized employee handbooks for new start-ups, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small businesses, and medium-sized businesses. We have experience consulting and training with businesses from a variety of industries, including: retail, retail support, restaurant, manufacturing, industrial, wholesale, construction, and home services. In addition, we have experience consulting nonprofits such as churches, preschools, and research organizations.

We craft employee handbooks for companies and nonprofits throughout Texas, including from the cities of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Irving, Garland, and more.

Employee Drug Policies in Connecticut

Eric Lorenzen

Recreational use of Marijuana becomes legal in Connecticut in 2022, but that doesn’t mean an employer has to now allow employees to work while high. Instead, you will need to treat marijuana use much like you do alcohol or prescription drug use, requiring that employees not be under the influence while working.

Littler, a leading labor law firm, advises that you can still enforce your drug-free workplace rules, but you need to do with extra care:

Notably, the new law expressly permits employers to continue to prohibit employees from engaging in the recreational use of marijuana, subject to certain statutory requirements. Employers that wish to take action based on positive recreational marijuana test results must carefully comply with those requirements. A positive marijuana test result, standing alone, otherwise will be insufficient to justify adverse employment action.

Elizabeth McKenna and Dale Deitchler from Littler (link to full article)

What you should do: Before January 2022, you should update your organization’s Drug Policy (often a part of your Employee Handbook). At New Wind, we can craft for you a custom Employee Handbook, designed specifically for your organization.

Texas Harassment Law Change

Eric Lorenzen

We at New Wind hope all is well with you and your company. Below is our Labor Law update for your particular state.

Upcoming New Law: Texas SB 45 (HB 48)
What is it about? Discrimination and Harassment
Effective Date: September 1, 2021

Summary of the law: The national law firm of Littler summarizes the new law as this: “Provides that it is unlawful employment practice if an employer knew about prohibited harassment and did not act immediately.”

How could it affect you? Be sure to take any claims of harassment seriously and be quick to investigate any reported or suspected harassment. If you do not already have your company policies in writing, you might consider getting an Employee Handbook. At New Wind, we can craft a customized Texas Employee Handbook specifically for your organization.

Employee Handbooks for Restaurants

Eric Lorenzen

Fairness in employment.  An employee handbook sets your employee policies and procedures in writing for your restaurant, grill, or cafe.   With a well designed restaurant employee manual you will gain many benefits: 1) your HR policies will be clear and consistent, 2) you will lower the chance of misunderstanding or frustration among staff, 3) you will offer protection to the business, and 4) you will equip your supervisors with a good HR resource.  No matter what type of business you have, an employee handbook is an essential for getting your employee policies in writing.

Some policies are necessary for any employee handbook:  at-will employment, non-discrimination, non-harassment, professional ethics, benefits, and a confirmation-of-receipt page.  Consider some of the other policies that can be included:

Employee Policies listEmployee Policies List

What typical policies are specific for restaurants?  Laws differ by state (and sometimes by city). There usually aren’t any that are specific to the industry beyond requirements on hygiene and food handling. Restaurant managers and owners do often choose to add custom policies that are unique to their particular organization, covering topics such as delivery driving safety, money handling, dress code, employee parking, customer respect, or security.

What is not included in a typical handbook?  A typical handbook (30-40 pages) does not cover job procedures which are too intricate and industry-specific.  Those topics not covered include things like job descriptions, day-to-day work procedures, and so forth.  Also, most handbooks are only in English, since good translation services are rather expensive to maintain legally compliant terminology.

How do I get a restaurant employee handbook?  Many wonder how to go about getting an employee manual that covers everything they need it to. Well, there are three paths you can choose to from:

  • Do-it-yourself (template)
  • Consulting Company (custom designed)
  • Lawyer (legally strong but not customized)

1. Do-it-Yourself Path: Many consider buying an employee handbook template online, which can cost from $50 to $350 or more.  A decent one will cost you at least $200.  The features such a template must have are:

  • Does the template include state-specific sections?  Many regulations differ by state, such as overtime, discrimination laws, jury duty, vacation pay, etc.
  • Does the template include size-specific sections?  Some regulations differ also by size, including FMLA, Pregnancy Leave, Sick Leave, etc.

Even if the employee handbook template you purchase is a decent one, expect to invest 100-140 work hours into research, editing, and customizing.  You will need to become familiar with your state’s labor laws to make sure the final handbook complies to state laws.  Most templates are purchased online.

Cost to you: about $250, plus 100+ work hours.

2. Consulting Company path:  This is the best value for most organizations.  Hire a consulting company to create your restaurant Employee Handbook.  The consulting company will conduct an interview to determine your current employee policies and survey what will be required considering your industry, location, and size.  Pricing starts at $1,500, so it initially costs more than the DIY path, but in reality it will save you both time and money.  See the links below for more information.

Cost to you: About $1,500 to $3,000, plus a few hours reading through the various drafts.

Learn more: Employee Handbook for Businesses

In addition, a consulting company can add custom policies that are unique to your organization, which a template would not offer.

3. Attorney-approved Path:  This route is by far the most expensive for an organization.  Hiring a Labor Lawyer to design an employee handbook can cost $5,000 to $9,000 or even more.  Is it worth the price?  Yes, if you run a highly regulated business or one considered to be at  high-risk for lawsuits.   Be sure to find a lawyer who focuses on employer needs, since many labor lawyers make their money representing employees suing their employers.

Cost to you: Average about $7,000, plus a few hours to review what was created.

(This article was originally published at HR Quick Answers. Republished with permission.)

Employee Handbooks for California Businesses

Eric Lorenzen

Custom Employee HandbookDoing business in California can be fantastic and frustrating at the same time. There are so many huge opportunities to explode in sales (if you are great at Wooing your Customers), but the labor regulations can sometimes overwhelm.  Rules. Rules. Rules. There are regs on OT, breaks, sick leave, discrimination, voting rights, and so much more.

As your company grows, you’ll reach a point when you realize it’s time to get more professional in how we’re handling our rules and policies. You realize that it’s time to get an Employee Handbook.

What are the benefits of an Employee Handbook? Besides offering some lawsuit protection, a handbook helps to get everyone “on the same page” when it comes to expectations, benefits, and potential consequences for failing to work as expected.

Other benefits to having an employee handbook are listed by the info blog HR Quick Answers:

Fairness in employment.  An employee handbook sets your employee policies and procedures in writing for your California business.   With a well designed California employee manual you will gain many benefits: 1) your HR policies will be clear and consistent, 2) you will lower the chance of misunderstanding or frustration among staff, 3) you will offer protection to the business, and 4) you will equip your supervisors with a good HR resource.  No matter what type of business you have, an employee handbook is an essential for getting your California employee policies in writing.

But that leads to the question of how do you get an employee handbook. Well, there are 3 main options in front of you:

1. Download a Template. Priced from $30 to $350, these templates will require you to invest many hours into personalizing the handbook to your state, employee count, and business specifics. Templates do NOT have typical industry-specific policies. A good template from the California Chamber of Commerce coasts about $250.

2. Have a consulting company design a customized handbook for you. Typical price is between $1,500 and $3,000. Pricing might seem high, but consider how many hours it would take one of your employees to create this from a good template (anywhere from 3-4 weeks of work). Even if the employee is only getting paid $10 per hour, it will cost you at least as much as it would hiring a consulting company, and the consultant will have quite a bit more experience at what should (and shouldn’t) be in that manual.

Customized Employee Handbooks

Church Employee Handbooks

3. Go to a labor law lawyer. This is by far the most expensive option, but you will receive a California employee handbook that considers all the legal intricacies of your business (though maybe not industry-specific policies). This is a good option for complex businesses concerned about employee lawsuits. Typical pricing ranges from $5,000 to $9,000.

Another option is to hire a lawyer to simply review a handbook you had designed DIY or by a consultant.

At New Wind, we design customized Employee Handbooks. We invite you to contact us for a complementary 30-minute Phone Consult, where we’ll talk about your business and what you want/need as written policies in an employee handbook. Schedule a consult now- it will only cost you 30 minutes of your time.

Contact New Wind