By the book: Rules of the worker's road

Putting the rules for your practice in writing helps ensure everyone gets the same message. But don't try to write your first employee manual by yourself.

By Carrie Printz, AMNews correspondent. Aug. 15, 2005.

Many practices are sure that their staff knows the office rules. But many others figure that it's a good idea to put those rules in writing.

Those are the practices formulating and handing out employee manuals, or employee handbooks, or whatever they want to call the document that stipulates such information as expected time of arrival, dress code, vacation policy, or whatever else a physician group deems necessary for the office's smooth operation

The physicians and staff of Bluegrass Orthopedics in Lexington, Ky., wouldn't think of living without their employee manual.

"I think it's critical to have a manual," said orthopedic surgeon Greg D'Angelo, MD. "It's very nice when things are written down, and there's no ambiguity. Also, it's a nice reference tool -- if you have a question about something, the answer is right there at your fingertips."

An employee manual can come in all sizes. Offices of five or fewer employees probably can get by with a one-page description for each employee that summarizes benefits, evaluations and raises, said Steve Peltz, a practice management consultant in Brewster, N.Y.

For larger practices, he said, manuals can range in size from five to 45 pages or more, depending on the details included.

"Ninety percent of employees function best when they know what's expected of them," Peltz said. "If everyone has the same set of rules that apply to them, then everyone will feel more comfortable."

Health care attorney Thomas Hess of Columbus, Ohio, understands that some practices eschew a manual because they think it will detract from a "family-like, less formal tone to the work environment."