Why do many employees see manuals as a hindrance?

This approach, she explains, “puts the responsibility in their hands, encouraging them to help their people directly instead of just passing issues to HR.”

The future of employee handbooks

Bernales sees untapped potential in how textbooks serve organizations.

“If I could rewrite the employee handbook, it would move away from being a document that employees fear, but rather a trusted guide for navigating all aspects of the company,” she says.

“As a lawyer and leader, I envision the handbook as a balance between legal protection and an identifiable, human-centered resource. It should be easy to access, simple to understand and flexible enough to evolve with the workplace.”

The goal extends beyond compliance to actual employee support. “The handbook should focus on and address real and relevant needs, such as remote work, mental health support and professional growth,” Bernales points out.