Employee Handbook Examples for Small Businesses (With Simple Templates)

Introduction

Many small business owners know they need an employee handbook but don’t know where to start. Looking at real-world examples can make the process much easier.

Below are practical employee handbook examples designed specifically for small businesses, along with guidance on what to include when building your own.

Example 1: Basic Small Business Handbook

A simple handbook for businesses with 5–20 employees usually includes:

• Welcome message from the company

• Company mission and values

• Work hours and attendance expectations

• Basic conduct policies

• Time-off policies

• Payroll information

• Safety expectations

This version keeps things straightforward while covering the essentials most businesses need.

Example 2: Growing Company Handbook

Businesses with 20–75 employees often expand their handbook to include:

• Remote and hybrid work policies

• Performance review guidelines

• Promotion and compensation philosophy

• Technology and data security policies

• Anti-harassment and workplace safety rules

• Benefits overview

As teams grow, clarity becomes increasingly important to avoid misunderstandings.

Example 3: Multi-State Employer Handbook

Companies operating across multiple states typically require:

• State-specific compliance policies

• Required labor law disclosures

• Expanded leave policies (family leave, medical leave, etc.)

• Detailed compliance and reporting procedures

Managing multiple state requirements manually can be complex, which is why many businesses use automated handbook tools.

Common Sections Found in Most Employee Handbook Examples

Regardless of company size, most employee handbooks include:

• Company overview

• Employment policies

• Workplace expectations

• Compensation and benefits

• Leave policies

• Legal compliance sections

• Acknowledgment page

These core sections create a clear foundation for employee expectations.

How to Quickly Create Your Own Handbook

Instead of copying handbook examples manually and editing them for hours, many small businesses now generate their handbook using automated tools that:

• Customize policies by state

• Adjust content based on company size

• Generate editable DOCX and PDF versions

• Keep policies updated automatically

This approach saves time while reducing compliance risk.

Final Thoughts

Reviewing employee handbook examples is a great starting point, but building your own customized handbook ensures your policies match your business, workforce, and state requirements.

If you want to create a fully customized employee handbook in minutes, you can generate one using our Employee Handbook Generator and edit it anytime as your company grows.