Word Employee Handbook
Word Employee Handbook
Word Employee Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME 3
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION.... 4
Confidentiality Agreement
Conflict of Interest
Time Records
CONDUCT STANDARDS 10
Company Equipment and Vehicles
Company Property
Conduct Standards and Discipline
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Insider Trading
LEAVE 13
Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
Bereavement Leave
Jury Duty
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT. 16
Employee Classifications
Employee Records
Reference/Background Checks
Termination, Resignation and Discharge
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS... 20
Travel and Expenses
Workers Compensation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING. 22
Welcome
Welcome to The Nature Alliance!
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Dear Employee:
You and The Nature Alliance have made an important decision: The Company has
decided you can contribute to our success, and you've decided that The Nature Alliance is
the organization where you can pursue your career productively and enjoyably while
serving and fulfilling our communities needs.
We believe we've each made the right decision, one that will result in a rewarding
relationship. The minute you start working here, you become an integral part of
The Nature Alliance and its future. Every job in our company is important, and you will
play a key role in the continued growth of our company.
As you will quickly discover, our success is based on delivering high quality experiences
and providing unsurpassed customer service. How do we do it? By working very hard,
thinking about our customers' needs, and doing whatever it takes. We do it by treating
each other and customers with respect. We do it by actively planning and adjusting to
situations not only as an individual but as a team.
Should you have any questions concerning this handbook, your employment or benefits,
please feel free to discuss them with your supervisor or manager.
Again, welcome!
Confidentiality Agreement
Information that pertains to The Nature Alliance's business, including all nonpublic
information concerning The Nature Alliance, its vendors and suppliers, is strictly
confidential and must not be given to people who are not employed by The Nature
Alliance.
Please help protect confidential information - which may include, for example, trade
secrets, customer lists and company financial information - by taking the following
precautionary measures:
1. Discuss work matters only with other Nature Alliance employees who have a
specific business reason to know or have access to such information.
2. Do not discuss work matters in public places.
3. Monitor and supervise visitors to The Nature Alliance to insure that they do not
have access to company information.
4. Destroy hard copies of documents containing confidential information that is not
filed or archived.
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5. Secure confidential information in desk drawers and cabinets at the end of every
business day.
Your cooperation is particularly important because of our obligation to protect the
security of our clients' and our own confidential information. Use your own sound
judgment and good common sense, but if at any time you are uncertain as to whether you
can properly divulge information or answer questions, please consult your Nature
Alliance supervisor.
Conflict of Interest
Employees must avoid any interest, influence or relationship which might conflict or
appear to conflict with the best interests of The Nature Alliance. You must avoid any
situation in which your loyalty may be divided and promptly disclose any situation where
an actual or potential conflict may exist.
Examples of potential conflict situations include:
Having a financial interest in any business transaction with The Nature Alliance
Owning or having a significant financial interest in, or other relationship with, a
Nature Alliance competitor, customer or supplier, and
Accepting gifts, entertainment or other benefit of more than a nominal value from
a competitor, customer, or supplier of The Nature Alliance.
Anyone with a conflict of interest must disclose it to management and remove themselves
from negotiations, deliberations or votes involving the conflict. You may, however, state
your position and answer questions when your knowledge may be of assistance to The
Nature Alliance.
protected by federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of the
employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion,
transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, return from layoff, training and social, and
recreational programs. All such employment decisions will be made without unlawfully
discriminating on any prohibited basis.
Prohibited Behavior
The Nature Alliance does not and will not tolerate any type of harassment of our
employees, applicants for employment, or our customers. Discriminatory conduct or
conduct characterized as harassment as defined below is prohibited.
The term harassment includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, and other verbal or
physical conduct relating to a person's gender, ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion,
sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status or any
other protected classification that unreasonably interferes with a persons work
performance or creates an intimidating, hostile work environment.
Sexually harassing behavior in particular includes unwelcome conduct such as: sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, offensive touching, or other verbal or physical
conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct may constitute sexual harassment when it:
The types of conduct covered by this policy include: demands or subtle pressure for
sexual favors accompanied by a promise of favorable job treatment or a threat concerning
employment.
Specifically, it includes sexual behavior such as:
repeated sexual flirtations, advances or propositions
continued and repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature,
sexually related comments and joking, graphic or
degrading comments about an employees appearance
or displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures
including cartoons and vulgar email messages, and
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Harassment by Nonemployees
The Nature Alliance will also endeavor to protect employees, to the extent possible, from
reported harassment by nonemployees in the workplace, including customers, clients and
suppliers.
Retaliation
Any employee who files a complaint of sexual harassment or other discrimination in
good faith will not be adversely affected in terms and conditions of employment and will
not be retaliated against or discharged because of the complaint.
In addition, we will not tolerate retaliation against any employee who, in good faith,
cooperates in the investigation of a complaint. Anyone who engages in such retaliatory
behavior will be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including termination.
Training
The Nature Alliance will establish proper training for all employees concerning their
rights to be free from sexual harassment and other discrimination and steps they can take
to stop it.
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Employment at Will
Unless expressly proscribed by statute or contract, your employment is "at will." All The
Nature Alliance employees are at will, which means they may be terminated at any time
and for any reason, with or without advance notice. Employees are also free to quit at any
time. Any employment relationship other than at will must be set out in writing and
signed by The Nature Alliance's Sid Severson.
Outside Employment
Because of The Nature Alliance's obligations to its customers, the Company must be
aware of any concurrent employment you may have to determine whether or not it
presents a potential conflict.
Serving on any public or government board or commission qualifies as employment for
purposes of this policy, regardless of whether such service is compensated.
Before beginning or continuing outside employment, employees are required to complete
a questionnaire detailing the involvement with the other employer and to obtain the
written approval of their managers and Brian Essig. Failing to obtain prior approval as
described may be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
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Pay Schedule
Employees will be paid on every other Friday. If the regular payday falls on a holiday,
payday will be the last regular workday before the holiday.
The pay week starts at the beginning of your shift on Monday and includes all work you
perform up to the close of business on Sunday.
A few additional facts about pay:
You will be paid your first week's wages at the end of the first workweek.
Any overtime earnings will be paid one week following the actual hours worked.
You can receive vacation pay in advance if you are taking five consecutive days,
and that check will be distributed on the last payday preceding vacation. To be
paid in advance you must notify your supervisor one week before your vacation
begins so that a check can be prepared.
If a paycheck is lost or stolen, notify Sid Severson immediately.
Performance Evaluations
Supervisors and employees are strongly encouraged to discuss job performance and goals
informally any time.
Additional formal performance reviews will be conducted to provide both supervisors
and employees with the opportunity to discuss job tasks, identify and correct weaknesses,
encourage and recognize strengths, and discuss positive, purposeful approaches for
meeting goals. These formal reviews will be conducted every 3 months.
Time Records
All non-exempt employees must keep accurate time records by completing timesheets or
punching a time clock when entering or leaving the building, including coming and going
during lunch periods. Tampering with, falsifying or altering time cards or punching
another employee's time card will result in disciplinary action, up to and including
discharge. Failing to record work time may also result in disciplinary action.
For payroll purposes, time is rounded to the nearest of an hour.
Conduct Standards
Company Property
Please keep your work area neat and clean and use normal care in handling company
property. Report any broken or damaged equipment to your manager at once so that
proper repairs can be made.
You may not use any company property for personal purposes or remove any company
property from the premises without prior written permission from Brian Essig.
Alcohol
Employees are prohibited from using or being under the influence of alcohol while
performing company business for The Nature Alliance, while operating a motor vehicle
in the course of business or for any job-related purpose, or while on company premises or
a worksite.
Illegal Drugs
The Nature Alliance employees are prohibited from using or being under the influence of
illegal drugs while performing company business or while on a company facility or
worksite. You may not use, manufacture, distribute, purchase, transfer or possess an
illegal drug while in The Nature Alliance facilities, while operating a motor vehicle for
any job-related purpose or while on the job, or while performing company business. This
policy does not prohibit the proper use of medication under the direction of a physician;
however, misuse of such medications is prohibited.
Disciplinary Action
Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined or terminated, even for a first
offense. Violations include refusal to consent to and comply with testing and search
procedures as described.
Searches
The Nature Alliance may conduct searches for illegal drugs or alcohol on company
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Drug Testing
The Nature Alliance may require a blood test, urinalysis, hair test or other drug or alcohol
screening of employees suspected of using or being under the influence of drugs or
alcohol or where other circumstances or workplace conditions justify such testing. The
refusal to consent to testing may result in disciplinary action, including termination.
Insider Trading
In addition to our general obligation to observe the law, one of the most important
responsibilities of all The Nature Alliance employees is to protect the company's
reputation for ethical and honest dealing. Our reputation could be irreparably damaged if
inside information is inappropriately disclosed such that it affects the stock price of our
company or that of a client or any other company with whom we have a relationship.
Bearing this in mind, you are forbidden from sharing or disclosing company information
in any way that could be deemed insider trading or give the appearance of such conduct.
Leave
Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
Family and Medical Leave
You are eligible for family and medical leave if you have worked for The Nature
Alliance for at least 12 months and have put in at least 1,250 hours during the 12 month
period before the leave is to begin.
Reasons for the Leave
You are entitled to take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave:
Notice of Leave
If your need for leave is foreseeable, you must give 30 days prior notice if possible. If
you do not give such notice, the leave may be delayed for up to 30 days.
If your need for leave is due to a planned medical treatment, make every attempt to
schedule the treatment so as not to unduly disrupt the work of your department. If your
need for leave is not foreseeable, you must request it as soon as practicable, no later than
two business days after the need for leave arises.
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Medical Certification
If leave is requested due to your own or a family member's serious health condition, you
must provide medical certification from an appropriate health care provider. The medical
certification must include the date on which the condition began and its probable
duration. You may be denied leave if you do not provide satisfactory certification. The
Nature Alliance may also require a second opinion or third opinion regarding certification
of a serious health condition, at our expense.
Outside Employment
You may not work for outside employers while on family and medical leave with The
Nature Alliance.
Returning to Work
If your leave is due to your own medical condition, you are required to provide medical
certification that you are able to resume work before returning. Both you and your health
care provider must complete a Return to Work Medical Certification.
Upon returning to work, you will ordinarily be entitled to be restored to your former
position or to an equivalent position with the same employment benefits and pay if
possible. If you do not return to work at the end of the leave and do not notify The Nature
Alliance of your status, you may be terminated.
Benefits During Leave
Taking family and medical leave will not cause you to lose any employment benefits
accrued prior to the first day of leave. The leave period will be treated as continued
service for purposes of determining vesting and eligibility to participate in any retirement
plan in effect. However, employees on FMLA leave normally will not accrue any other
additional benefits during the leave period, unless it is paid leave under which benefits
would otherwise accrue.
The Nature Alliance will maintain your insurance benefits while you are on leave,
although you may be required to pay your portion of the premium. However, if you do
not return to work after the leave, you may be asked to reimburse us for the cost of
maintaining insurance coverage during the leave. This provision will not apply in cases
where your inability to return is through no fault of your own -- for example, at the end of
leave you remain physically unable to return due to your serious health condition.
Misrepresenting Reasons for Leave
If you intentionally misrepresent the reasons for requesting family and medical leave, you
may be discharged.
Bereavement Leave
Full-time employees who have worked at The Nature Alliance for at least 3 days are
permitted up to 5 consecutive days with pay to attend the funeral of an immediate family
member, which includes a spouse, child, brother, sister, parent or grandparent.
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Eligible employees may be permitted 2 days with pay for the death of a relative who is
not an immediate member-including an aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, brother-in-law, sisterin-law or parent-in-law.
Your supervisor must approve all bereavement time, and the Company may request
verification of the facts surrounding the leave and grant or deny the leave as deemed
appropriate. Bereavement leave will not be paid if it occurs when the employee is on
vacation or leave of absence, absent due to illness or injury, or not working due to a paid
holiday.
Jury Duty
The Nature Alliance supports employees in fulfilling their civic responsibilities by
serving jury duty when required and fully compensates them for up to 5 days of time they
are required to serve.
However, you must inform your supervisor as soon as possible after receiving a jury
summons so that arrangements can be made to accommodate your absence. And you will
be expected to report for work during your jury service whenever the court schedule
permits.
Insurance benefits will ordinarily remain in effect and unchanged for the full term of your
jury duty absence.
General Employment
Employee Classifications
Employees at The Nature Alliance are either full-time or part-time. The Company may
on occasion hire temporary or seasonal employees, who will not generally be eligible for
benefits.
Part-time employees work fewer than 32 hours per week. Unless specifically stated, parttime employees are not afforded any benefits other than wages; for example, they do not
accrue benefits such as sick days, vacation days, and health insurance.
**All other employees are full-time**.
Your supervisor will verify whether you are a full-time or part-time employee, and also
whether you are exempt or non-exempt. Exempt employees are not entitled to overtime
under the Fair Labor Standards Act, while non-exempt employees can qualify for this
pay.
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Employee Records
An employee's personnel file consists of the employee's employment application,
withholding forms, reference checks, emergency information and any performance
appraisals, benefits data or other appropriate employment-related documents.
It is the employee's responsibility to notify the Payroll Department or Human Resources
of any changes in name, address, telephone number, marital status, number of
dependents, military service status, beneficiaries or person to notify in case of an
accident.
Misrepresentation of any fact which you have provided information for on your
application, in your personnel file, or any other document is sufficient reason for
dismissal. Personnel records are considered company property and are not available for
review by employees.
Utah
An original personnel file consists of an employee's employment application, withholding
forms, reference checks, emergency information and any performance appraisals, benefits
data and other appropriate employment-related documents.
It is your responsibility to notify the Payroll or Human Resources department of any
changes in name, address, telephone number, marital status, number of dependents,
military service status, beneficiaries or person to notify in case of an accident.
You may be dismissed for misrepresenting any fact on your application or in your
personnel file.
Personnel records are considered company property. You may review and make copies of
your record in the Brian Essig offices after giving adequate notice.
Reference/Background Checks
The Nature Alliance conducts reference and background checks on all new employees.
Employees who have falsified information on their employment applications will be
disciplined, which could include termination. Applicants who have provided false
information may be eliminated from further consideration for employment.
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Any employee who is discharged by The Nature Alliance shall be paid only wages
accrued to the effective date of the separation.
Safety
The Nature Alliance is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all
employees. Report all accidents, injuries, potential safety hazards, safety suggestions and
health and safety related issues immediately to your manager.
If you or another employee is injured, contact your supervisor or manager immediately.
Seek help from outside emergency response agencies, if needed. Contact information is
posted on the break room bulletin.
You must complete an Employee's Claim for Worker's Compensation Benefits Form if
you have an injury that requires medical attention. If your inquiry does not require
medical attention, you must still complete a Supervisor and Employee Report of Accident
Form in case medical treatment is later needed and to ensure that any existing safety
hazards are corrected. You can obtain the required forms from Brian Essig.
A federal law, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, requires that we keep records of
all illnesses and accidents that occur on the job. OSHA also provides for your right to
know about any health hazards which might be present on the job.
In addition, the state Workers' Compensation Act also requires that you report any illness
or injury caused by the workplace, no matter how slight. If you do not report an injury,
you may jeopardize your right to collect workers' compensation payments as well as
health benefits.
You can get the required reporting paperwork from Brian Essig.
Security
The Nature Alliance is committed to ensuring employees' security. Our premises are
equipped with both security alarms that are active outside working hours and a fire alarm
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system. If you have a security concern or need more information about operating these
systems, contact Brian Essig.
All employees are given identification cards when they join the Company. Wear your ID
at all times while on Company business, whether you are on or off Company premises. If
you leave The Nature Alliance, you must surrender your ID and any company keys you
have been issued.
Telephone Usage
The telephone system (including voicemail) at The Nature Alliance is the property of the
company and is provided for business purposes. The Nature Alliance may periodically
monitor the usage of the telephone systems to ensure compliance with this policy.
Therefore, employees should not consider their conversations on the company's telephone
system to be private.
Personal Mail
All mail delivered to the company is presumed to be related to company business. Mail
sent to you at the company will be opened by the office and routed to your department. If
you do not wish to have your correspondence handled in this manner, please have it
delivered to your home.
Employee Benefits
The Nature Alliance employees are entitled to a wide range of benefits. A number of the
benefit programs -- such as Social Security, workers' compensation, state disability and
unemployment insurance -- cover all employees as required by law.
Eligibility for most other benefits depends upon a variety of factors, including employee
classification. Your supervisor can identify the programs for which you are eligible. You
can find the details of many of these programs in separate written summaries. For more
information, contact Brian Essig.
Some benefit programs require contributions from employees, but many are fully paid by
The Nature Alliance. We reserve the right to add, amend, modify or terminate any
employee benefit plans or programs.
Basin Travel. This agency will be responsible for making all your travel arrangements.
You must record all travel and business activities on the Company's Expense Report
Form and submit it to . If business travel requires you to be out of the office for an
extended period, your report must cover no less than one week and no more than one
month of expenses.
All Expense Report Forms should be submitted to no later than five business days after
the last day of the month.
Worker's Compensation
The Nature Alliance provides insurance to compensate for any illness or injury an
employee might suffer while working on company premises, traveling on official
company business, or attending an activity officially sponsored by the Company. If you
become ill or injured, please get medical attention at once.
You must also report the details to your supervisor immediately. And you must complete
a report for every injury, no matter how small, to keep the coverage in force and to get
any benefits or other compensation to which you may be entitled.
Due to business needs, some employees may be required to work on company holidays.
Your supervisor or manager will notify you if this may apply to you.
Vacation
Only active, full-time employees are eligible for paid vacation, and all vacation must be
earned before being taken. You may not substitute pay for unused vacation unless you
have your supervisor's written approval. Should a Company holiday occur during your
vacation, you may add an additional day, either at the beginning or end of the vacation
period, with your supervisor's approval.
The Nature Alliance reserves the right not to approve a vacation request if it will interfere
with Company operations or adversely affect coverage of job and staff requirements.
Whenever possible, employees' requests for vacation will be accommodated, but where
scheduling conflicts arise, seniority will prevail.
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Date
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