Staff Handbook Template
A staff handbook brings your key policies together in one place, giving employees clarity and giving you a consistent reference if issues arise. Keeping it current with employment law is essential.
What this staff handbook covers
- Core policies — conduct, absence, holiday, IT and equality
- Disciplinary and grievance procedures
- Family leave and flexible working
- Health and safety basics
- How the handbook interacts with the contract
When you need a staff handbook
- Onboarding new employees
- Standardising policies across a growing team
- Demonstrating compliance and fair process
The legal framework
Understanding the law behind a staff handbook helps you use it well. Here is the key UK legislation that applies:
Frequently asked questions
Is a staff handbook legally required?
No, but it's strongly advisable. A clear handbook helps you apply policies consistently and defend decisions if challenged.
Should the handbook be contractual?
Usually it's best kept non-contractual so you can update policies without renegotiating contracts, while disciplinary and grievance procedures follow the ACAS Code.
How Legal Lift helps
Answer a few plain-English questions and our AI generator produces a tailored staff handbook, ready to edit, download as PDF or Word, and e-sign with LegalSign. Every template is kept current with UK law, and our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are available if you'd like it reviewed.