Employee handbooks are funny things.
(Actually, no they're not, and that's part of the problem.)
As my colleague wrote about just last week, video game maker Valve's employee handbook was leaked onto the Web not too long ago, stirring up visions of the perfect job across the blogosphere in the hearts and minds of geeks everywhere. And while Valve's manual certainly made for an entertaining read, it came across like some kind of anarchist's cookbook for the HR set.
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But I guess what really made this story jump out for me is that we're going through a transition of our own here at Summit Business Media (BenefitsPro's parent company), although some might call it a revolution. And we've been told this corporate makeover – and cultural rebirth – will include a new employee handbook.
Now I love to read as much as the next ink-stained journalist, but these things hold fewer surprises than a tawdry EL James novel. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating Valve's communal, "no one's in charge; we're all friends here approach," because too much democracy in the workplace can be counterproductive.
(Just look at Valve: They make great games, but fans have become increasingly agitated over the long-delayed sequel to their once-flagship title. And then there's Congress, where nothing gets done.)
But I digress. I didn't much mind our last employee handbook – although it did come across as a little dated and out of touch. (I mean, the only thing about it that acknowledged the 21st century was the PDF format it showed up in.) We've got a much more diverse work force – especially generationally – and companies slow to adapt will lose the recruitment battle.
So, in the spirit of helping move the company forward, I'd like to offer a few suggestions as we send the handbook to rewrite (some less serious than others).
- Plain language always helps. Actually, I push for this in any kind of writing, but when you're dealing with a diverse audience, barriers are best breached with everyday language. Cut out the corporate and legal crap, and not only will you double the number of people who read it, but you'll come across as much more approachable.
- How about pictures? Or any kind of graphic element? That was my favorite aspect of the Valve handbook, which included handy illustrations of its complete lack of structure – like that needed illustrating.
- Maybe it's my Shel Silverstein bias, but how about a few rhymes? There's a reason Sesame Street is so successful. Besides, those millennials will really appreciate it.
- And this could be the Hemmingway in me, but, above all else, keep it short.
A couple of other great handbooks are Zingerman's and Nordstrom's. Check them out. And, in the meantime, send me some of the best and worst things you've seen in an employee manual. It would make an even better blog than this one. Besides, I could use the week off.
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