FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. What format is the disk? Will it work in my word processor?

The program is on a 3.5 inch floppy disk. It was created in Microsoft Word for Windows, PC format. Whatever word processor you have should be able to load and print these files without any trouble. Most modern Mac’s can convert directly from Word PC to Mac format. As a backup, in case anyone has any trouble reading the files in Word, the disk also contains every file in ASCII (plain text), which can be read by any word processor, PC or Mac.

Q. Can I change the wording, add anything I need for my particular business, or delete anything that doesn’t apply to us?

You can make any changes you want, quickly and easily. The program is a simple file that you just load into your word processor. You can use it as is, or edit it any way you want to, just as though you had created the original document yourself.

Q. What about variations in state laws?

Most employment law is federal rather than state based. And most of the 55 policies in the handbook are not required by law, but are just good management practice to make your business run smoothly. Wherever you are located, I recommend you call your State Employment Commission and ask them to send you an employer’s kit that explains your state’s requirements. This is free, and it’s very easy to do. Also ask them to put you on their mailing list if they have a free newsletter with information and advice for employers.

Q. Has your handbook been reviewed by an attorney?

My basic model has been reviewed several times by attorneys. It’s not essential for you to have it reviewed again, but here’s what I recommend. Begin now shopping for and developing a relationship with an attorney who is a specialist in employment law. You want to have someone in place you can call immediately if any incident should occur in the future that might have legal implications. It would also be ideal for you to have him or her review your finished handbook, to make sure everything is in order for your state and your specific business.

Q. Will it be necessary for me to purchase regular updates?

I have never chosen to offer an update service, simply because there’s not sufficient need for it. Employment law very rarely changes. What happens is that the courts issue opinions from time to time, interpreting the laws already in place. This will not require you to change your handbook, because my model is already in compliance with existing laws. Sometimes new issues emerge that you may want to add to your handbook. For example, my model includes a comprehensive policy on responsible use of email and the internet. This was not an issue several years ago. You can simply watch the business press for emerging issues or any changes in the law, but this will only occur every few years.

Q. Can your policies be used by businesses located in Canada?

My program is already being used effectively by a number of Canadian companies. What you should do in this case is take the basic model, do any editing or customizing you think is appropriate for your business, then have your final version reviewed by an attorney who is a specialist in Canadian employment law.

Q. What size company are your policies designed for?

This model is appropriate for businesses of any size. My smallest clients are startups who have not yet hired any employees. The largest I can recall has 1500 employees. Most are small to mid-size businesses. If you have any employees at all, you should have written policies. Not only do they prevent problems and misunderstandings, they are your first line of defense if a problem should occur. Just "doing the right thing" is not enough. You must have it in writing.

Q. Are your "Policies On Disk" suitable for a high-tech company? For a non-profit? A restaurant? A home builder? A dental or medical office?

The answer is "Yes" to all the above, plus a great variety of other businesses. I already have clients in all these areas and dozens more. In fact, that’s the secret of how I am able to offer this program at such an affordable price. There are a large number of issues that all businesses need to address. For any one business to pay an attorney or consultant to develop all these policies "from scratch" would cost from $10,000 to $20,000 in fees. By spreading the development cost over a large number of businesses, I can offer each business a comprehensive set of policies at a fraction of their real value. The core policies represent 95% to 100% of what any business needs. You have the flexibility to add, delete, or customize anything to handle your specific needs, but you don’t need to pay thousands of dollars to "reinvent the wheel".