Handbook headaches: Avoiding common Arizona employer handbook mistakes

While the number of employment laws Arizona employers are required to follow has steadily increased over the years, employment in Arizona remains largely policy-based. This means employment handbooks are critical to managing employee expectations, establishing performance and behavior standards, and protecting employers from legal liabilities. However, many handbooks fall short of their intended purpose because of common mistakes that can lead to confusion, legal issues, and a disengaged workforce. Employers should review their handbooks at least once a year to make sure policies remain current, comply with existing and new laws, and are being consistently implemented as written. What are some of the common handbook mistakes Arizona employers make?

Noncompliance with Arizona’s sick leave law

Arizona’s Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, which went into effect in 2017, requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Under this law, all Arizona employers must offer paid sick leave to their Arizona employees. Despite the law being in place for several years, many handbooks still fail to clearly outline a policy that complies with the Act.

Common mistake. Employers either neglect to mention paid sick leave entirely or include language that doesn’t align with the Act. This oversight can lead to confusion among employees and potential legal penalties for noncompliance.