Creating a Manual for Better Service, Safety and Employee Relations Essay

Creating a Manual for Better Service, Safety and Employee Relations - Essay Example The need for an employee handbook became evident at the restaurant due to the high level of turnover among the wait staff and the cooks. It became apparent that many of the questions that new employees had were not being addressed during the new employee training, and there was not always opportunity to explain things to them during the busy hours in the restaurant. What the new employees needed was a manual that could be a ready reference with answers to frequently asked questions about cooking, serving, cleaning and customer service.The manual also needed to summarize policies concerning work-related issues such as paid leave, health benefits, sick days and performance reviews so employees that had acquired some longevity would always know what their rights and responsibilities were. Some skills developed in prior academic classes were utilized in this class. The writing in the manual needed to be clear and concise.This was difficult to do. The most important information in each ca tegory needed to be included, and nothing more. There was  a page and word limit that forced the language in the manual to be very direct. These constraints were placed upon the project by the print shop. The manual needed to be an asset number of pages with a specific page layout or the costs increased dramatically. The word and page restrictions forced me to use writing and summarizing skills learned in prior academic courses. A business law class was helpful in giving guidance when writing the section on employee rights.... The manual needed to be as set number of pages with a specific page layout or the costs increased dramatically. The word and page restrictions forced me to use writing and summarizing skills learned in prior academic courses. A business law class was helpful in giving guidance when writing the section on employee rights and benefits. This class assisted in writing in a manner that clearly spelled out rights and consequences for behaviors such as being late for work or not calling off when sick. Business law taught me that ambiguity in company policies could lead to legal challenges and conflict (Lewin, 2001). Management courses also informed the overall tone of the manual. Managing through positive, enthusiastic leadership was stressed in a few management related classes. As a result, attempts to interject good humor and a feeling of light into the manual were taken as often as possible. The goal was to create a document that was accessible to the employees and a bit of fun to read. The only more important goal than this one was the desire to make the manual factual and fair. These skills learned in prior academic classes were very helpful during the practicum. The majority of learning happened as the task was being completed and interaction increased with the employees of the restaurant. Especially helpful in the process was an employee that was a teacher in a middle school for many years. She became interested in the project and spent much of the time advising on various ways. She recognized the value of the project and wanted to help. Her greatest sharing of knowledge dealt with the physical content and layout of the manual. She shared that individuals that struggle to read need manuals and books that are rich in graphics, pictures and charts that