Essentials Employee Handbook/Manual

2018-2019

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Table of Contents

Title Page - - - - - - - - Pg 1

Table of Contents - - - - - - - Pg 2

Overview and Employment Relationship - - - - Pg 3

Welcome Message from the President/CEO - - - - Pg 4

General Employment Information - - - - - Pg 5

Harassment and Discrimination - - - - - Pg 5

Attendance At Work - - - - - - - Pg 5

Workplace Professionalism and Company Representation - Pg 6-7

Payroll Information - - - - - - - Pg 7

Benefits - - - - - - - - Pg 7-8

Employee Time Off From Work - - - - - Pg 8

Use of Company Equipment and Electronics - - - - Pg 9

Performance Expectations and Evaluation - - - - Pg 9-10

Employee Acknowledgement - - - - - Pg 11

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 Overview and Employment Relationship

Introduction and Purpose of the Handbook

- The purpose of this employee handbook is to introduce rules, guidelines and expectations
this company has for its employee. We want every worker here at Essentials to be happy
and feel safe and comfortable while working with us. This handbook ensures that you as
an employee can help us with that indever.

Mission Statement
- At Essentials, we believe in doing the right thing. That is why we provide high quality
and sustainably made products to our customers, and promote ethical business practices
in developing nations across the world.

Company Overall Goals

1. Use your full name when introducing
yourself.
2. Everyone has to turn in their task on time.
3. Respect others.
4. Come with a positive mindset
5. Keep clothing appropriate.
6. Everyone must have a task
7. Raise your hand when you have a
question during a meeting.
8. Email when you know you won’t be here
9. Keep Mrs.Gonzalez or CEO updated with
your progress.
10. Work together to keep the business
successful.

Company Commitment to Employees

- See the good in any situation around your - Keep things in balance
environment - Nurture relationships
- Risk Failure - Seek Feedback
- Work Hard - Be Passionate
- Expand (Think Big) - Maintain Self-Respect
- Be Consistent

Expected Commitment from Employees

- Remember to always be on task
- Maintain a friendly work environment
- Always ask questions when needed
- Be respectful of one another
- Work towards the company's goals and mission at all time

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 Welcome Message from the President/CEO

Welcome new Essentials employees!

I must let you know that we are all very excited to have you join our motivated and professional
team. You were hired based on your set of unique skills, and we not only hope that you would
further develop them here, at Essentials, but that you would use them efficiently in your new
departments.

Essentials was established in 2018, in Santa Ana. Our company was founded on the principle of
using our resources to provide a livable income and a safe working environment to all of our
employees. At our company, you will encounter great opportunities, but you will also be faced
with a great amount of paperwork, projects, and tasks. These can prove to be challenging, but I
am sure that these tasks can farther shape your work ethic and character.

I truly believe that each and every one of our employees has the capability to flourish and expand
their knowledge through hard work and adherence at our company.

Sincerely,
Bridget C. Fleming (CEO)

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 General Employment Information

Personnel File Policy

- Each Employee has a personnel file in the Human Resources File Cabinet. This includes
the employees health insurance; the job application and resume of the employee; Your
offer of employment to the employee; The employee's W-4 Form (Employee's
Withholding Allowance Certificate) and several other documents relating to the
employees employment here at Essentials. To learn more visit Human Resources.

Access to Personnel Records

- Every Employee has access to his or her personnel file in the Human Resources File
Cabinet. Human Resources Employees have access to all employees personnel files so
they can better understand how to insure the safety and happiness of each employee
should a problem arise. Employees from other departments are not permitted to access
any employees file but their own or their partner (Should they have one), with the
exception of employees in management positions.

Harassment and Discrimination

 
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The employer is an "equal opportunity employer." Employees will not discriminate and will take
"affirmative action" measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment,
advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other
conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, creed,
color, national origin, or sex.

Anti-Harassment Policy
The employer is committed in all areas to providing a work environment that is free from
harassment. Harassment based upon an individual's sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age,
religion or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. All employees,
including supervisors and other management personnel, are expected and required to abide by
this policy. No person will be adversely affected in employment with the employer as a result of
bringing complaints of unlawful harassment​. 
 

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Harassment and Discrimination Reporting Procedure
If you are in any way getting harassed or discriminated make sure to follow theses rule:
● Talk to your VP of your department
● The VP will talk to HR about the situation
● HR will talk to the CEO or COO about what’s been going on
● We will ALL have a meeting and come up with the best solution in order to prevent this
again

Attendance At Work

Attendance Expectations and Policy

● We expect every employee to show up
● Try not to be absent or late a lot of times
● If you are late, don’t disrupt other employees
● Even if you are absent, you are still expected to do your part of your work
● If you know you are going to be absent, make sure to email your VP of your department

Workplace Professionalism and Company Representation

Work Dress Code

- Everyone at this company is expected to dress in a professional manner. No inappropriate
or overly sexual clothing, if your clothing makes someone uncomfortable they are to
report it and you will be given a warning and asked to change. However, beyond that
your clothing can be relatively casual on the average work days. We expect you to dress
professionally for presentations, business trips, and when interacting with our company
sponsors or shareholders.

Smoke-Free Workplace
- Essentials Company is a Smoke-Free environment. It helps create a safe and healthy
workplace for all employees. Smoking and secondhand smoke are known to cause
serious lung diseases, heart disease, and cancer. Our policy to provide a Smoke-Free
environment for all employees and visitors will establish to keep a safe and healthy
workplace. If any employee is caught with cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and spit tobacco will
have a reminder of our policy and offered professional help.

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Drugs and Alcohol: Drug-Free Workplace
- Essentials Company strictly prohibits the selling, purchasing, dispensing, manufacturing,
distributing, diverting, stealing, using, possessing and/or being under the influence of
non-medically indicated prescription or non-prescription drugs or illegal substances,
and/or alcohol on Essentials Company premises or while conducting Essentials Company
business.It is a violation of Essentials Company policy for anyone to report to work under
the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, i.e. with illegal drugs or alcohol in their body. It
is a violation of Essentials Company policy to serve alcohol on Essentials Company
property, except in designated approved areas or events. No minor will be served
alcoholic beverages at Essentials Company approved events.

Workplace Violence
- Violence of any kind is strictly prohibited. Should an act of violence be discovered the
employee should begin documentation of any and all evidence or injuries that have been
sustained for the record of the company. Any employees who witness an act of violence
must report the incident to Human Resources and a employee in Management, there is a
possibility that if the situation escalates the witness must also report to the police.

Travel for Business Policy

- All travel for Business will be paid for by the Essentials Company. In return we expect
the employees in question to dress and act in a professional manner. The Company will
come first. The Employee will not be late or disrespectful, they will be prepared to the
best of their ability.

Payroll Information

Compensation Schedule
- Employees will be paid every two weeks. Any questions about your salary, come see
Human Resources. They will have all your salary and bill information. If you did not
receive a paycheck go to Accounting/Finance, they will have all necessary information in
regards to company money.

Our Company Benefits

The Health Care Options

We give each employee the option between three different health care plans. Our
Premium option, our standard option, and our basic option. You and your partner are
required to have the same plan chosen and the cost can be split between you however you
choose. There is also options for employee’s that don’t have a partner to choose from

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 with the same three benefit plans at half the price. Each of these plans cover a
comprehensive medical plan that covers basic and major medical care this includes
hospitalization, surgery, maternity care, X-ray and laboratory expenses, durable medical
equipment, as well as emergency care. All our benefit options also cover dental and eye
exams, life and health insurance. The difference between them is how much is paid by
the employee and how much is covered by the company.

Premium Option $350 (Paid Monthly Split between partners)

- Copayment of office visits: $5
- Eye Exams: $50
- Dental Visits: $5

Singles Premium Option $175 (Paid Monthly)

- Copayment of office visits: $5
- Eye Exams: $50
- Dental Visits: $5

Standard Option $200 (Paid Monthly Split between partners)

- Copayment of Office visits: $10
- Eye Exams: $100
- Dental Visits: $10

Singles Standard Option $100 (Paid Monthly)

- Copayment of Office visits: $10
- Eye Exams: $100
- Dental Visits: $10

Basic Option $100 (Paid Monthly Split between partners)

- Copayment of Office Visits: $15
- Eye Exams: $175
- Dental Visits: $15

Singles Basic Option $50 (Paid Monthly)

- Copayment of Office Visits: $15
- Eye Exams: $175
- Dental Visits: $15

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 Employee Time Off From Work

Paid Holidays
- All employees will have paid Holidays for two holidays of their choice. All employees
will have Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, and Winter Solstice off. We here are Essentials
want all employees to feel welcome to celebrate their cultural events. Other holidays all
employees have off are Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, New
Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday (Third Monday in
February), Independence Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Many of these are the
federal requirement. If you would like to petition another holiday to have off work you
may do so.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

- Every employee have 15 days of Paid Time Off. These can used by staying home sick or
traveling. Any day not spent at work for non business purposes will be counted. After the
15 days have already passed any time off afterward you will not be paid for.

Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)

- Some exceptions to the Paid Time Off Policy can be family emergencies and medical
leave. If you have injured yourself and have an extended stay at the hospital these
missing days will not deduct from the 15 days of Paid Time Off. Depending on the
extremity of the family emergency this could also be the case here. Visit Human
Resources to determine.

Use of Company Equipment and Electronics

Cell Phone/Telephone Policy

Cell phones should not be distracting employees from their tasks. They should not be used for
surfing the internet or playing video games during work hours. If cell phone needs to get in use
talk to your VP ahead of time. Avoid having personal phone calls, cell phones out in meetings, or
while operating equipment.

Company Tools, Equipment, and Supplies

When using Essential Equipment remember to take proper care, property will be returned in
proper working order. Understand it may be held financially responsible for damaged property if
supplies brake.

Performance Expectations and Evaluation

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Conflict Resolution
- Essentials in order to solve a conflict, theses are the steps you should take:
● Identify the source of conflict (The more information you have, the more easily
you can resolve it)
● Look beyond the incident
● Requests solutions (Identify how the situation could be changed)
● Identify solutions both disputants can support (Listening for the most acceptable
course of actions)
● Agreement

Complaint Procedure
- At Essentials we are trying to prevent any kind of complain but for any reason you have
something to complaint, ,do the following steps:
● Talk to your VP
● VP will let HR know about the complaint
● HR will come up with a solution to solve the complaint

Employment Termination
- Refers to the event that an employee ceases to be part of the company's workforce. It is
beneficial for all parties that the employment separation process is as clear as possible so
misunderstandings and distrust between the employee and the company can be
avoided.refers to the event that an employee ceases to be part of the company's
workforce. It is beneficial for all parties that the employment separation process is as
clear as possible so misunderstandings and distrust between the employee and the
company can be avoided.

Exit Interviews (sample questions)

- Why did you begin looking for a new job ?
- What ultimately led you to accept the new position ?
- Did you feel that you were equipped to do your job well ?
- How would describe the culture of our company ?
- What could have been done for you to remain employed here ?
- Did you share your concerns with anyone at the company prior to leaving ?
- If you could change anything about your job or the company, what would you change ?
- Were you satisfied with the way you were managed ?
- Did you have clear goals and objectives ?
- How can our company improve training and developing programs ?
- Would you consider coming back here in the future ?

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Return of Company Property ​- ​All property must be returned in the same condition in which it
was loaned. The value of any damaged, lost or broken property (or the cost of repairs) will be
deducted from the employee's final paycheck. All electronic devices must have personal files or
preferences removed.

Employee Acknowledgement

I,_____________________________________ hereby agree to Essentials Employee Handbook.

I understand and agree that signing here indicates that I have read and agreed to the policies and

expectations stated in this Employee Handbook. Therefore, I acknowledge and understand that

unless Essentials has given me a written employment agreement that states otherwise, I have the

right to resign from my employment with Essentials at any time as long as it is with two-week

notice.I understand that If I resign from my employment with Essentials, I must work until the

end of the month to receive my paycheck. Signing here is also to my knowledge that Essentials,

has the right to terminate my employment at any time with notice and with reason. A breach in

any of the policies and expectations above can also lead to my termination. I have read and

understand to all of the above. I agree to these terms and conditions.

Employee Name (Printed):________________________________

Employee Signature:_____________________________________

Date:_____________

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