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

An employee handbook is a document that outlines the rules and regulations of a workplace, while an employment contract is a written agreement between an employee and employer that outlines the terms and conditions of their specific employment relationship. In North Carolina, both an employee handbook and an employment contract are legally required for any employer-employee relationship. An employee handbook is the overall governing document of a workplace. It dictates the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of employees, and may include rules on topics such as attendance, vacation, conduct, and ethics. It can also outline the company’s policies on wage and hour laws, dispute resolution, harassment, and other workplace topics. An employee handbook should be distributed to all employees and should be reviewed and revised as needed. An employment contract is a legally binding document between an employer and an employee that outlines the terms of their employment. This document typically covers topics such as wages, job duties, hours, benefits, and termination procedures. It can also include job-specific information about the employee’s position. An employment contract should be reviewed and signed by both the employee and the employer before starting the job. The main difference between the two is that an employee handbook provides general information about the employer-employee relationship, while an employment contract is a legally binding document that specifically outlines the terms and conditions of the individual employment relationship. Both documents are important for protecting the rights of both parties, so it’s important that employers and employees understand the difference between the two.

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