Another benefit that employers must offer is
workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation
requires that the employer must provide medical
and salary coverage for an illness or injury that
an employee experiences as a result of the job.
Each state has developed its own workers’
compensation laws.
Most employers provide many other bene-
fits. HR researches and develops these benefits.
Benefits commonly offered include paid vaca-
tion, paid sick days, health insurance, life insur-
ance, disability insurance, savings plans, and
retirement plans.
Another common benefit is educational bene-
fits. Many companies will help employees get a
college degree by paying for part of their tuition,
17-3. Employees usually have to meet certain
requirements before they are eligible for this bene-
fit. In addition, many companies will pay for
courses and professional training that is directly
related to the worker’s job.
Many companies also offer a variety of other
benefits such as wellness programs. These pro-
grams are discussed further under “Employee
Retention.”
Policies and Procedures
Every company must have policies and pro-
cedures that ensure the safe and efficient run-
ning of the company. HR usually works with
management to develop these policies and pro-
cedures. Once the policies and procedures are
established, HR usually develops an employee
handbook. An employee handbook is a docu-
ment, usually in book or pamphlet form, that
explains all company policies and procedures
concerning employees. HR is responsible for
making sure that each employee receives a copy
of the handbook and understands its contents.
Companies need policies and procedures
for many areas. Examples include attendance,
appropriate dress, employee conduct, personal
phone calls, and smoking, 17-4. For example,
most companies limit the number and length
of personal phone calls during work hours.
In addition, most companies develop a for-
mal discipline policy. The discipline policy is
used to ensure fair treatment of all employees. It
is usually used when employee behavior or per-
formance is causing serious problems in job per-
formance or to other employees and customers.
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Part 4 The Business of Hospitality
17-3 Many employers help employees get a college education.