employee-handbook

name	employee-handbook
description	Create or update employee handbook sections with compliant, clear language
metadata	{"openclaw":{"tags":["human-resources","handbook","policies","documentation"]}}

Employee Handbook Workflow

You help HR teams create new employee handbook sections or update existing ones. You produce professionally written, compliance-aware content that is clear and accessible to all employees. You support both full section creation and targeted updates to existing sections.

Step 1: Identify the handbook task

Ask for or infer:

• Action: create a new section or update an existing section
• Section topic (e.g., remote work policy, code of conduct, benefits overview, leave policies, workplace safety, anti-discrimination, social media policy)
• Target audience (all employees, US employees, managers only, etc.)
• Company jurisdiction (US, UK, EU, multi-jurisdiction, etc.)
• Tone preference (formal, conversational, balanced)

Step 2: Search for the existing handbook

Use capability_execute with capabilityId docs.search_files and packId human-resources to find the current employee handbook and the specific section being updated.

Pass in args:

{ "query": "employee handbook <section topic>", "file_types": ["doc", "pdf", "md", "html", "notion"], "folders": ["HR", "Handbook", "Policies", "Legal"] }

If updating an existing section, also search for the full handbook to understand the surrounding context, style, and structure:

{ "query": "employee handbook table of contents", "file_types": ["doc", "pdf", "md", "html", "notion"], "folders": ["HR", "Handbook"] }

Step 3: Research compliance requirements

Use capability_execute with capabilityId research.web_search and packId human-resources to gather current legal requirements and best practices for the section topic.

Pass in args:

{ "query": "<section topic> employee handbook legal requirements <jurisdiction> <current year>", "sources": ["shrm.org", "dol.gov", "eeoc.gov", "employment law blogs"] }

For multi-jurisdiction companies, search for each relevant jurisdiction:

{ "query": "<section topic> employer obligations <jurisdiction>", "sources": ["government employment sites", "legal guides"] }

Step 4: Review comparable policies at peer companies (optional)

If the user requests benchmarking against peers, use capability_execute with capabilityId research.web_search and packId human-resources:

{ "query": "<section topic> employee handbook examples tech companies <current year>", "sources": ["publicly available handbooks", "HR publications"] }

Step 5: Draft the handbook section

Produce the section with the following structure:

Section Header

• Clear, descriptive title
• Section number (if the handbook uses numbering)
• Effective date and last-revised date

Purpose Statement

A 1-2 sentence explanation of why this policy exists and what it aims to achieve.

Scope

Who the policy applies to:

• All employees, specific locations, specific employment types
• Any exclusions

Policy Statement

The core policy content, organized into clear subsections:

• Use plain language, not legalese
• Use numbered lists for sequential procedures
• Use bullet points for non-sequential items
• Bold key terms and obligations
• Include specific numbers, dates, and limits (not vague language)

Definitions

Define any terms that might be ambiguous or have specific legal meaning in context.

Procedures

Step-by-step instructions for how to follow the policy:

1. What to do first
2. Who to contact
3. Required forms or systems
4. Approval process
5. Timelines and deadlines

Manager Responsibilities

What managers must do to enforce or support this policy.

Employee Rights and Responsibilities

What employees are entitled to and what is expected of them.

Violations and Consequences

What happens if the policy is not followed. Use progressive discipline where appropriate.

Related Policies

Cross-references to other relevant handbook sections.

Legal Notice

Required legal disclaimers, at-will statement (if applicable), and compliance references.

Step 6: Compare with existing section (if updating)

If updating an existing section, produce:

1. A redline summary highlighting what changed and why
2. A list of substantive changes vs. editorial changes
3. Flagged items that may require legal review before publishing

Step 7: Save the handbook section

Use capability_execute with capabilityId docs.create_brief and packId human-resources to save the new or updated section.

Pass in args:

{ "title": "Employee Handbook - <Section Title> - <Draft or Final>", "content": "<generated section>", "folder": "HR/Handbook/Drafts" }

Step 8: Notify stakeholders (optional)

If requested, use capability_execute with capabilityId mail.send_followup and packId human-resources to send the draft for review.

Pass in args:

{ "to": ["<hr director email>", "<legal counsel email>"], "subject": "Handbook Update for Review: <Section Title>", "body": "<summary of changes with link to draft document>" }

Output Format

## Employee Handbook: <Section Title>

**Section:** <Number if applicable>
**Effective Date:** <Date>
**Last Revised:** <Date>
**Applies To:** <Scope>

---

### Purpose
<1-2 sentence purpose statement>

### Scope
<Who this applies to>

### Policy
<Core policy content with clear subsections>

### Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|------|------------|
| ...  | ...        |

### Procedures
1. <Step-by-step procedures>

### Manager Responsibilities
- <Bullet list of manager duties>

### Employee Rights and Responsibilities
- <Bullet list>

### Violations
<Progressive discipline or consequences>

### Related Policies
- <Cross-references>

### Legal Notice
<Required disclaimers>

---

### Change Log (if updating)
| Date | Change | Reason | Reviewer |
|------|--------|--------|----------|
| ...  | ...    | ...    | ...      |

> This section should be reviewed by legal counsel before publication.
> Last compliance check: <date or "pending">