BRADENTON, Fla., July 2, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Gevity(r) (Nasdaq:GVHR), which serves as the full-service human resources department for small and mid-sized businesses, today announced that small business clients with employee handbooks reported fewer misunderstandings with employees, higher levels of employee satisfaction and were better protected in the event of an employment-related claim.
According to the Small Business Administration, an employee handbook is one of the most important communication tools between a company and its employees. Not only does it set forth expectations for employees, it also describes what they can expect from the company.
"All small businesses need to have an employee handbook that clearly lays out the company's goals and mission, expectations of employees, ethical standards, employment policies and business standards -- as well as information about compensation, benefits, time off and workplace safety," says Kevin Huff, Director of Solution Management at Gevity. "It should also include federal, state and company-specific-related policies. Unfortunately, a great many still don't, or have outdated handbooks or just scraps of paper listing policies and important company information. They fear the process of creating an employee handbook will be too time-consuming, or they just don't realize how important a handbook is."
As part of its efforts to help small businesses optimize their HR practices, Gevity works with clients to develop an employee handbook that accurately reflects their company's goals and expectations. Gevity HR Consultants meet with new clients to review any existing manuals and develop a new manual. The process begins with the client completing a worksheet. Then, based on the results, Gevity creates a customized handbook, which the business can distribute to all new employees and place on its website. Additionally, Gevity provides businesses with compliance updates so they can keep their handbooks current.
Thanks to its employee handbook, Gevity client 16500, a lighting manufacturers' representative based in Oakland, California, was also better protected when an employee tried to sue for wrongful termination.
"We have a great employee handbook, which Gevity helped us with," says Jeanine Ciecko, the Business Manager at 16500. "It clearly lays out the company's policies and procedures and the kind of behavior we expect from our employees and managers." Since the employee had acknowledged in writing that he read the handbook, and the company went through the proper disciplinary procedures as outlined in the handbook, the case was dropped.
"At Gevity, we make creating or revising a handbook as easy and painless as possible," says Huff. "Our trained HR Consultants work with clients, reviewing existing materials and asking them key questions. The end result is a document that sets employees' expectations from their first day on the job through the employment lifecycle -- and provides a framework for effectively resolving employment-related issues."
About Gevity
Thousands of small and mid-sized businesses nationwide leverage the flexibility and scalability of Gevity's human resources (HR) solution to help them maximize the return on investment in their people. Essentially, Gevity serves as the full-service HR department for these businesses, providing each employee with support previously only available at much larger companies. Gevity delivers the Gevity Edge(tm), a comprehensive solution comprised of innovative management and administration services, helping employers to streamline HR administration, optimize HR practices, and maximize people and performance. This solution enables both businesses and their employees to achieve their full potential, giving them an edge over competitors. Gevity's unique approach features Gevity OnSite(tm), experienced HR Consultants based in local markets backed by nationwide resources and easy-to-use technology, including Gevity OnLine(tm) and Gevity OnCall(tm). For more information, call 1.800.2GEVITY (1.800.243.8489) or visit gevity.com.
A copy of this press release can be found on the company's Web site at www.gevity.com.