Employee Handbook Template
A free, editable Word document built for small businesses and agencies writing their first handbook — not a generic all-purpose template.
An employee handbook isn’t about legal box-checking — it’s the fastest way to answer the questions every new hire has in their first week without them having to ask around.
This is a starter outline, not a finished legal document: employment basics, time off, code of conduct, remote work policy, and confidentiality, ready to be filled in and adapted to your specific policies and local employment law.
This template is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or HR advice. Have it reviewed by a qualified professional before using it with a real client or employee.
Free, editable, ready to fill in. Enter your email and it'll start downloading right away.
Once this is in place, startbuddi for startups handles the client, invoicing, and follow-ups that come after — automatically.
See startbuddi for startupsQuestions about this template
Is this legally compliant for my state or country?
This is a starting structure, not a compliance document — employment law varies significantly by location. Have a local HR or legal professional review the finished handbook before distributing it.
How often should a handbook be updated?
At least annually, or whenever a policy actually changes — an outdated handbook that contradicts current practice can cause more confusion than having none at all.
Run the whole client relationship in one place
Free to start. No card needed. Your full workspace is ready in five minutes.