What is the difference between an employee handbook and an employment contract?

Employee handbooks and employment contracts both serve the purpose of outlining the important details and expectations for employers and employees in the workplace. An employee handbook is a collection of documents that describes the policies and procedures of an organization, such as rights and responsibilities of employees, codes of conduct, safety and security procedures, and more. An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee. This document outlines the job description, compensation, and other details about the job, such as the length of employment and the terms of termination. Employee handbooks are typically longer and more comprehensive than employment contracts. Handbooks cover a wider variety of topics, including leave policies, benefits, grievance procedures, and more. An employment contract covers only specific details that relate to the job at hand. It usually includes information about wages, job responsibilities, hours of work, and other important details. Both employee handbooks and employment contracts should be compliant with applicable wage and hour laws in California. It is important that employers are aware of the state’s overtime and minimum wage laws, as well as other laws such as the rest/meal break laws. Both documents should outline the wage and hour requirements for the employee.

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What is the difference between an employee handbook and an employment contract?

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