# HR Policies & Employee Handbook

> An employee handbook sets out leave, working hours and overtime, attendance, remote work, conduct, data security, grievance redressal, POSH, and exit rules in one place. It must sit within the Labour Codes and the state's shops and establishments law — for example annual leave and overtime minimums — and establishments with 20 or more workers need a Grievance Redressal Committee under the Industrial Relations Code.

Practice: Labour Law & HR Compliance — https://www.industax.com/services/labour-hr/

A handbook helps only if it matches law and practice. Policies copied from large companies often promise more than a startup can deliver, or fall below state minimums.

We draft policies for your size and states, cross-referenced with appointment letters, and set up the committees and registers the codes require.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Grievance Redressal Committee | 20+ workers |
| Standing orders | 300+ workers |
| Leave and hours | Per Labour Codes and state shops acts |
| POSH | Internal Committee for 10+ employees |

## Who needs this

- Startups formalising HR
- SMEs updating for the Labour Codes
- Remote and hybrid teams

## What's included

- Handbook drafting
- Policy cross-checks by state
- Committee setup guidance
- Roll-out communication

## Documents

- Existing policies
- Employee strength by state
- Working arrangements

## Process

1. **Review** — Current practices and gaps.
2. **Draft** — Handbook and policies written.
3. **Roll out** — Acknowledged by employees.

## FAQs

### Is an employee handbook legally required?

Not as such, but several policies and committees are mandatory — POSH policy, grievance redressal, and standing orders for larger establishments — and a handbook is the practical way to hold them.

### Can a handbook override an employment contract?

It should be consistent with the contract; where they conflict, the contract (and the law) generally prevails. Contracts usually incorporate the handbook by reference.

### How often should policies be updated?

At least yearly, and whenever laws change — the Labour Codes and DPDP Act are recent examples.

## Official sources

- Ministry of Labour & Employment — Labour Codes: https://labour.gov.in/

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Canonical page: https://www.industax.com/services/labour-hr/hr-policy-handbook
Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.