Developing an Effective Employee Handbook

The Importance of an Updated Employee Handbook

Recent enhancements to the Employment Act now extend protection to an additional 430,000 managerial and executive workers, underscoring the need for businesses to update their employment handbooks. An employee handbook is more than just a document—it is a vital resource that outlines company policies, procedures, and expectations, creating a roadmap for employees and employers alike. It serves as a comprehensive guide for addressing workplace behavior, benefits, and compliance with Singapore's employment laws, fostering clarity and consistency across the organization.

A Guide to Empower and Protect

For employees, a well-crafted handbook ensures clear communication of expectations, benefits, and workplace policies, helping them feel informed and supported. For employers, it acts as a safeguard against legal disputes and a foundation for promoting a harmonious workplace. Beyond compliance, the handbook reflects the organization’s mission and culture, setting the tone for a professional and inclusive work environment. Whether you're crafting a new handbook or revising an existing one, this essential document paves the way for stronger employee-employer relationships and a thriving workplace.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Explore Best Practices: Examine examples from local and global organizations to understand effective employee handbooks.
• Draft with Confidence: Gain hands-on experience in drafting key sections of an employee handbook.
• Customizable Templates: Learn to apply ready-to-use templates to develop a tailored handbook for your organization.
• Evaluate Effectiveness: Assess and incorporate best practices to ensure compliance and relevance in your handbook.

Who Should Attend

• HR Professionals: Ideal for those responsible for creating or updating employee handbooks and policy manuals.
• Policy Developers: Perfect for individuals with a keen interest in drafting or improving workplace policies.
• SME Managers: Valuable for leaders of small and medium enterprises to enhance employee relations and workplace management.

"Trainer is very knowledgeable and clear in his teaching. I have learnt to be concise in drafting the handbook. Thank you Bernard for sharing!"

- James Poon, Banyan Home

"Trainer is well experienced and informative. Very engaging!"

- Sahira Sulaiman Sait, Jamiyah Singapore

"Bernard is very clear in his teaching and very knowledgeable"

- Nur Haslindah Hassan, Distribution Administrator, Elmos Semiconductor Singapore (2024)

"Ability to explain clearly with practical examples and solutions provided. Detail explanation and the ongoing questions and answers throughout the duration of the course."

- Guo He-Jun Eugene, HR Office Manager, Cambiao Risso Asia (2024)

Mr. Bernard Tay - Senior HR Coach & Consultant

Bernard Tay is a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience in human resource management and development across diverse industries, including aviation, telecommunications, electronics, medical, and education. He has held senior HR positions in both private and public sectors, working with renowned American and Japanese multinational corporations. Bernard’s expertise spans the full spectrum of HR functions, such as compensation design, expatriate management, staffing, organizational development, and employee relations. His consultancy work has extended beyond Singapore to ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Bernard has served as a Senior Assessor for the prestigious People Excellence and Singapore Quality Awards. He is an accomplished trainer, delivering HR management programs to participants from various organizations. Bernard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an honors degree in Sociology from the National University of Singapore. He also earned a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development and Education from George Washington University, USA. As a certified Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) trainer, Bernard combines his academic foundation and practical expertise to guide HR professionals in achieving excellence.