2 Make it engaging and interactive

An employee handbook should not be boring or dry. It should capture your employees' attention and interest, and motivate them to learn more about your company. Make it engaging and interactive by using storytelling, humor, and visuals. Use stories and examples to illustrate your values, goals, and expectations. Use humor and fun to inject some personality and warmth into your tone. Use visuals such as photos, illustrations, icons, and charts to convey your message in a more appealing and memorable way. A good example of an engaging and interactive employee handbook is the one of Valve, which uses comic book style graphics, witty captions, and quirky details to showcase their creative and innovative culture.

3 Highlight your culture and values

An employee handbook should not only inform your employees about the rules and regulations, but also inspire them to align with your culture and values. Highlight your culture and values by showcasing your mission, vision, and purpose. Explain why you do what you do, and how you do it differently from others. Share your stories, achievements, and challenges. Celebrate your diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. Recognize your employees' contributions, feedback, and growth. A good example of an employee handbook that highlights culture and values is the one of Zappos, which uses colorful and playful design, customer testimonials, and core values cards to showcase their culture of happiness and service.

5 Make it accessible and available

An employee handbook should not be a hidden or hard-to-find document that only a few people have access to. It should be a accessible and available document that everyone can easily access, read, and refer to. Make it accessible and available by using different formats, channels, and platforms. Use print, digital, or audio formats to cater to different preferences and learning styles. Use email, intranet, or online platforms to distribute and share the employee handbook with your employees. Use QR codes, links, or bookmarks to direct your employees to additional resources or information. A good example of an employee handbook that makes it accessible and available is the one of HubSpot, which uses a slide deck format that can be viewed online, downloaded, or printed.

6 Test it and measure its effectiveness

An employee handbook should not be a document that you create once and forget about. It should be a document that you test and measure its effectiveness on a regular basis. Test it and measure its effectiveness by using different methods, metrics, and indicators. Use quizzes, assessments, or simulations to test your employees' knowledge, understanding, and application of the employee handbook. Use surveys, interviews, or observations to measure your employees' satisfaction, engagement, and performance. Use data, analytics, or reports to monitor the impact of the employee handbook on your company's culture, productivity, and retention. A good example of an employee handbook that tests and measures its effectiveness is the one of Spotify, which uses a feedback loop system that collects and analyzes data from their employees to improve their employee handbook.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?