Last Updated on June 27, 2026 by
A ready-to-edit Employee Handbook template for Indian SMEs (2026)
*By HRTailor — the online HR department for startups & SMEs*
Twelve core policies every 1–100-person Indian company should have in writing. Copy, fill the
[brackets], and you have a defensible handbook. Aligned to the 4 Labour Codes (in force since Nov 2025).
*Not legal advice — have your final handbook reviewed before rollout.*
How to use this pack
1. Replace every [bracketed] placeholder with your company’s specifics.
2. Delete policies that don’t apply; add any industry-specific ones.
3. Get sign-off (founder + a legal/HR review), then have every employee acknowledge it in writing.
1. Welcome & code of conduct
[Company] expects professionalism, integrity, and respect. Covers: dress/communication norms,
conflict of interest, confidentiality, anti-bribery, social-media conduct, disciplinary process.
2. Employment terms
Employment type (probation [3–6 months], confirmation), working hours [e.g. 9:30–18:30, Mon–Fri/Sat],
notice period [30–90 days], and that appointment letters are issued to every employee (now mandatory).
3. Compensation & payroll
Pay cycle [last working day], salary structure (basic must be ≥50% of CTC under the Code on Wages),
payslips via HRMS, reimbursements, and statutory deductions (PF, ESIC, PT, TDS).
4. Leave policy
Earned/privilege leave [e.g. 18/yr], casual [e.g. 7], sick [e.g. 7], public holidays [state list],
maternity (26 weeks), paternity [policy], carry-forward/encashment rules, application via HRMS.
5. Attendance & remote/hybrid work
Attendance capture, late/half-day rules, work-from-home eligibility, and availability expectations.
6. POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment)
Mandatory if 10+ employees. Zero-tolerance statement, the Internal Committee (IC) members &
contact, how to file a complaint, timelines, and non-retaliation. (We can set up your IC.)
7. Statutory compliance & benefits
PF, ESIC, Professional Tax, gratuity eligibility [5 years], insurance [if any], and how employees access them.
8. Performance & growth
Review cadence [quarterly/annual], goal-setting, feedback, and promotion/increment principles.
9. IT, data & asset use
Acceptable use of devices/email, data protection (DPDP Act basics), password hygiene,
asset issue/return, and what happens on exit.
10. Grievance redressal
How to raise a concern, escalation path, expected response times, and confidentiality.
11. Travel & expense
Approval limits, eligible expenses, claim process & timelines, per-diem [if any].
12. Exit & full-&-final
Resignation process, notice & handover, clearance checklist, F&F timeline [within 45 days],
experience/relieving letters, and data/asset return.
Want this done for you — not just templated?
HRTailor configures your full policy framework, employee handbook, statutory registrations and an
HRMS for your team, then runs HR monthly — one dedicated HR Manager + a 5–6 person pod, fixed
fee from ₹10,000/month.
Book a 30-min call → hrtailor.com/contact-us/
(“Virtual HR Manager / Online HR Services” — where /services/virtual-hr-services/ resolves).
To publish: create as a page or branded PDF, then add to hrt-lead-magnets.php map under
‘services/hr-outsourcing-india’ (alongside the HR Setup Starter Kit) and/or its own card.
Verify leave/maternity/gratuity specifics before publishing.*
