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I'll jump in here, since I actually attended the seminars, three 4 hour sessions of training to obtain Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification status. Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification is now necessary if you want to be able to pull a permit in Wisconsin. And yes, landscapers need to be able to pull permits here, if for instance, you want to build a patio...legally.
The attorney listed the following disadvantages of an employee handbook:
1) Potential for creating enforceable obligations (i.e. contracts) with employees.
2) Practical difficulties enforcing or following handbook procedures.
3) Potential appearance of being overly technical or heavy-handed, particularly in small operations.
4) Potential increased litigation if the handbook is not well prepared or well followed.
The gist of his argument was that an employee handbook creates a documented standard of treatment to which you can be held , as an employer, in a court of law. Any inconsistency between your handbook and your treatment of an employee can be grounds for litigation.
The attorney also listed several things to avoid in an employee handbook:
1) Avoid promises and guarantees. If you make a promise in a handbook, you must be sure that you really intend to keep it.
2) Avoid policies that create standards against which the employers' performance must be measured. Examples include "just cause", "reasonable", and "appropriate".
3) Avoid creating employee categories that suggest greater job protection for certain employees. The most common misstep is to create "probationary" and "permanent" employees.
4) Avoid creating a mandatory progressive discipline system. Always reserve the right to vary procedures when circumstances call for it.
Something to think about, next time you want to murder one of your guys.
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