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Friday, September 12, 2025

Considerations when reusing another company's employee handbook

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Brian Calley President and Chief Executive Officer at Small Business Association of Michigan | LinkedIn

Brian Calley President and Chief Executive Officer at Small Business Association of Michigan | LinkedIn

A recent inquiry addressed the potential risks of using another company's employee handbook. The question arose when an individual considered adopting a friend's newly created handbook, developed by a lawyer, for their own company.

Experts caution against this practice for several reasons. Firstly, labor laws differ based on company size. If the two companies vary in size, the borrowed handbook might omit crucial policies and legal requirements specific to the individual's organization.

Additionally, handbooks should be tailored to reflect a company's unique policies. They must include specific guidelines on matters such as time off, timekeeping, and benefits like holidays and leaves of absence. A generic or borrowed handbook may not align with these practices.

Furthermore, employee handbooks often contain company-specific details like mission statements, names, and leadership titles that need updating to suit a different business context.

Using another company's handbook can result in compliance issues and inconsistencies. There is also a risk of overlooking outdated or irrelevant policies. To ensure accuracy and alignment with business needs, consulting an HR professional or legal expert when updating handbooks is recommended.

The response concludes with a disclaimer: "This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law."

The article was provided courtesy of Ahola.

For further information and resources, readers are directed to additional news outlets.

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