Episode 110: Getting a Handle on Handbooks

Lena Scullard and Becky Lauseng welcomed employment attorney Kate Bischoff to discuss employee handbooks, which she defined as documents setting expectations and guidance distinct from tactical policy manuals. Kate advised that HR should determine the handbook's tone to match the company culture, use the document to drive cultural change, and review the handbook annually, ideally from back to front and through the perspective of an employee needing guidance. Key recommendations included ensuring harassment and essential EEO policies are prominently featured, avoiding broad off-the-clock conduct language, and keeping the handbook concise (less than 35 pages) by removing specific policy details like employment classifications, lengthy discipline policies, and temporary trend topics like returning to the office. Guest: Kate Bischoff | Employee Attorney & HR Professional | Resources: Website: Kate's LinkedIn Learning Session on Employee Handbooks: Email: kate@k8bisch.com Hosts: Becky Lauseng - Lena Scullard - INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

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Episode 110: Getting a Handle on Handbooks is an episode from What The HR! by TCSHRM -Twin Cities Society for Human Resources Management.

This episode is 47:35 long.

This episode was published on Nov 20, 2025.

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