Avionics News January 2012 - 62
legislative
B Y J A S O N D I C K S T E I N AEA GENERAL COUNSEL
Employee Handbooks
any companies compile and publish an employee handbook. Such handbooks can be useful tools for employees, but they also can be a source of liability. This month, we examine a few ideas you might want to include and exclude from an employee handbook. The employee handbook should not be part of your Federal Aviation Administration-approved manual system. It should stand alone. I generally
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employee handbooks as employment contracts, while others have refused to do so. Our best advice is to work with an employment lawyer in developing your employee handbook so it makes best use of your state law. Unless you explicitly intend it to serve as a contract, you should include a disclaimer on the front explaining that the employee handbook is not a contract and can be changed at any time by the employer.
Employment law is rife with litigation, and it is better to create a manual that will protect you than to create one which exposes you to unforeseen liabilities.
recommend against any sort of cross references between the regulated manuals, such as the quality manual and the repair station manual, and the nonregulated manuals like the employee handbook. This helps draw a clear line of demarcation over which documents will be, and which will not be, within the scope of the FAA’s regulatory oversight. Be wary how you draft your handbook. Some states have treated
62
avionics news
Introduction Employees tend to read the employee handbook at two times: when they are brand-new and want to know what the job is all about, and when they have a specific question they think ought to be covered by the handbook. In order to meet the needs of brand-new employees, the handbook should address common questions new employees might ask. This would include topics, such as:
Employee benefits and insurances. • Vacation policies. • Hours of operation. • Sick leave policy. • Other leave policies, such as maternity. • Payroll dates. • Dress code. • Safety and security issues. • History of the company. • Emergency contacts, including professional, law enforcement, fire and medical emergencies. This information should include anything unusual about your company. Do you pool funds for a coffee club? Does the business shut down for the Kentucky Derby? Does the business owner buy lunch every Friday? Should employees be wary of towing if they park in the wrong spot? When I draft these sorts of sections for clients, I generally include clauses to explain that the benefits and policies may be changed at any time and for any reason by management, and the employee handbook does not constitute a contract or guarantee. In smaller companies where management flexibility is important, I may include a
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Avionics News January 2012
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News January 2012
Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View From Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Rockwell Collins' Fusion Upgrades
Member Profile
Where Are They Now?
Before & After
Next Step in the GPS Battle
A Conversation With...
Touchscreen Avionics: Training Required
Sounding Off On Audio Panels
Member Profile
Advertisers Index
Aviation Aces
Business Basics
Meet the AEA Board
Theory & Practice
Legal Ease
Special Report
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News January 2012 - Cover1
Avionics News January 2012 - Cover2
Avionics News January 2012 - 1
Avionics News January 2012 - 2
Avionics News January 2012 - 3
Avionics News January 2012 - Point of Communication
Avionics News January 2012 - 5
Avionics News January 2012 - AEA Now
Avionics News January 2012 - 7
Avionics News January 2012 - 8
Avionics News January 2012 - 9
Avionics News January 2012 - 10
Avionics News January 2012 - 11
Avionics News January 2012 - 12
Avionics News January 2012 - 13
Avionics News January 2012 - The View From Washington
Avionics News January 2012 - 15
Avionics News January 2012 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News January 2012 - 17
Avionics News January 2012 - 18
Avionics News January 2012 - 19
Avionics News January 2012 - Rockwell Collins' Fusion Upgrades
Avionics News January 2012 - 21
Avionics News January 2012 - 22
Avionics News January 2012 - 23
Avionics News January 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News January 2012 - 25
Avionics News January 2012 - 26
Avionics News January 2012 - 27
Avionics News January 2012 - Where Are They Now?
Avionics News January 2012 - 29
Avionics News January 2012 - 30
Avionics News January 2012 - Before & After
Avionics News January 2012 - Next Step in the GPS Battle
Avionics News January 2012 - 33
Avionics News January 2012 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News January 2012 - 35
Avionics News January 2012 - Touchscreen Avionics: Training Required
Avionics News January 2012 - 37
Avionics News January 2012 - 38
Avionics News January 2012 - 39
Avionics News January 2012 - Sounding Off On Audio Panels
Avionics News January 2012 - 41
Avionics News January 2012 - 42
Avionics News January 2012 - 43
Avionics News January 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News January 2012 - 45
Avionics News January 2012 - 46
Avionics News January 2012 - Advertisers Index
Avionics News January 2012 - Aviation Aces
Avionics News January 2012 - 49
Avionics News January 2012 - 50
Avionics News January 2012 - 51
Avionics News January 2012 - Business Basics
Avionics News January 2012 - 53
Avionics News January 2012 - 54
Avionics News January 2012 - 55
Avionics News January 2012 - Meet the AEA Board
Avionics News January 2012 - 57
Avionics News January 2012 - 58
Avionics News January 2012 - 59
Avionics News January 2012 - Theory & Practice
Avionics News January 2012 - 61
Avionics News January 2012 - Legal Ease
Avionics News January 2012 - 63
Avionics News January 2012 - Special Report
Avionics News January 2012 - 65
Avionics News January 2012 - 66
Avionics News January 2012 - 67
Avionics News January 2012 - 68
Avionics News January 2012 - 69
Avionics News January 2012 - What's New
Avionics News January 2012 - 71
Avionics News January 2012 - 72
Avionics News January 2012 - 73
Avionics News January 2012 - Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News January 2012 - 75
Avionics News January 2012 - 76
Avionics News January 2012 - Cover3
Avionics News January 2012 - Cover4
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