Create an Employee Handbook for Your Home Based Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna m. Brown

There are Benefits to Owning a Home Based Business - Sometimes You Have to Look for Them

There are many advantages to owning a home based business. If you are seriously considering opening a home based business, or if you already have a home based business, you are obviously keenly aware of the possibilities.

To make your home business experience even more pleasant and productive, write your own employee handbook - even if you are the only employee.

One of the most difficult things to leave behind when walking away from full-time employment with a secure company is the benefits package that includes perks like insurance, a retirement plan, vacation pay and sick leave.

The benefits of owning a home based business aren't always quite as well defined - but wait, they could be defined if you write your own employee handbook.

Your Employee Handbook Will be Your Home Based Business Bible

In the beginning of your employee handbook write your mission statement. You are the president of your own empire and quite possibly the only employee. Write a letter of welcome to yourself and let yourself know how glad you are that you have decided to embark on this adventure.

Write a detailed outline of issues that need to be addressed in your employee handbook. You are the boss and only you know what is the most important to you. One of the greatest perks to owning your own home business is the ability to call the shots - you run this show. Your employee handbook might be different than your average corporate publications, but it will be yours and it will give you a guide to follow as you navigate your way through various business operations.

-What hours will you work?

-When will you take your breaks?

-Will you accept personal phone calls? When?

-Will you accrue vacation time? (Most hardworking employees accrue vacation time, -why should you be any different? )

-How will you determine how much vacation time you have coming? Will you set a financial goal? A production target? Will you need to meet a certain sales quota?

-When will you do your housework? Run children? Accept errands and assignments from your spouse? You're not likely to see this in the employee handbook at any major company, but then, your home based business is not just any company, it's yours.

-Who will be allowed into your work area? Who is restricted?

-What constitutes a family emergency and how will it be handled? When Johnny forgets his back pack are you willing to take 30 minutes off and take it to him? Or will you teach your children responsibility by being responsible for your own home based business?

-Will you pay for some child care just to give you a break? How much child care have you included in your budget?

-Do you have a dress code? How do you expect yourself and others to be dressed when they sit down to work at your home based business?

-Will you network with people outside your home to stay in tune and in touch? How often?

-Do you have a business expense account for entertaining clients? How much?

You are a professional and should treat your home based business with professional respect.

An Employee Handbook Will Help Keep Your Home Based Business on Track

As a business owner and therefore the most important employee in your company, you will appreciate having your rights in writing. By writing an employee handbook you eliminate any guilt you might feel about taking time for yourself and your family. You will have a clear conscience when you address difficult issues and you can honestly tell do-gooders who ask you to volunteer for everything "because you work at home" that it is against your company policy to accept volunteer positions during regular work hours.