What are Employee Training Manuals ?

Employees need to be trained on a regular basis to acquaint them with the latest developments, technologies, softwares and make them ready for unforeseen circumstances.

Employee training manuals are small handbooks which are given to employees by training managers for their future reference. Employee training manual should include relevant information which would help employees enhance their capabilities, eventually increasing their productivity and benefitting the organization.

Individuals have a tendency to forget things after a certain period of time. Employee training handbooks help them recollect whatever has been taught to them in various training sessions. You can also give a nice name to your training manual as well.

Employee training manual is a collaborative effort of all trainers who put together information, latest happenings in respective domains, new updates for employees to help them acquire new skills and learnings.The ultimate goal of training manual is to help employees in their current responsibilities as well as future assignments.

There can be two formats for training manuals. One which would give general information about company’s policies and rules and regulations which every employee irrespective of his/her designation needs to follow.

Such training manuals ought to be handed over to the employee the day he steps into the organization. It helps the new candidate to understand company’s internal systems and procedures. Such employee training manuals give a detailed insight into company’s timings, dress code, labour laws, safety techniques, lunch timings, leave policy, hierarchy, reporting system, grading system and so on.

They contain only general information that is applicable to all individuals who are directly associated with the organization. Trust me; no one remembers what he/she was told on the first day of joining. Let everything be in writing for employees to refer to in case of confusions and misunderstandings.

Employees can also refer to their employee manuals without bothering their superiors and fellow workers. Employee training manuals also ensure transparency at all levels. Rules are same for everyone whether he/she is a sales professional, admin executive or a Vice President.

The other types of employee training manuals are those which give specific project related, position related, task related information. Such training manuals are designed in line with employee’s key responsibility areas and specialization. These manuals give specific information as to how a particular task should be performed.

Position specific training manuals help employees acquire additional set of skills which would help them outshine their fellow workers and make a mark of their own. Such training manuals can also focus on specific tasks and roles. Such manuals guide employees to perform their tasks with perfection and help them if they are stuck somewhere.

Employee training manual of a marketing professional would be different from that of a MIS executive. Marketing professional needs training on brand positioning, soft skills, time management, presentation skills, effective listening skills and so on. Employee training manual of a MIS executive ought to throw light on reporting formats, excel etc.

Employee training manuals should have correct and relevant information. Make sure they do not have grammatical and spelling errors. Do not use complicated jargons as people might find it difficult to understand. Employee training formats should be in an “easy to follow” format.