Last Updated on September 4, 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/
Fill in your details and we'll email the pack - 12 ready-to-edit HR policies for Indian SMEs, aligned to the Labour Codes. By downloading, you agree to receive occasional HR insights from HRTailor - unsubscribe anytime.
What the Startup HR Policy Pack includes
Indian startups usually copy an offer letter template from the founder’s previous employer and call it “HR policy”. Six months later, an inspector, an employee dispute or a due-diligence review exposes gaps that could have been prevented with 10 core policies. The HRTailor Startup HR Policy Pack ships 12 India-localised, editable policies that a founder can adapt in an afternoon.
The 12 policies inside
- Appointment letter - Salary breakup, probation, notice period, IP assignment
- Employee handbook - Work hours, dress code, communication norms, escalation
- Leave policy - CL, SL, EL, maternity (26 weeks), paternity, comp-off
- POSH policy - Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), reporting flow, annual report
- Code of conduct - Ethics, conflict of interest, gift acceptance
- IT and data security policy - Device usage, access controls, incident reporting
- Remote and hybrid work policy - Eligibility, expectations, expense reimbursement
- Performance management policy - Review cycles, PIP, ratings, promotions
- Exit policy - Notice period, F&F settlement, no-dues, UAN transfer
- Grievance redressal - Reporting channels, timelines, escalation
- Anti-bribery and corruption - Especially for teams selling into regulated sectors
- Statutory compliance policy - Employer obligations under PF, ESIC, PT, TDS, Labour Codes
Why generic templates fail Indian startups
Most policy packs sold online are US-first with an India cover. They miss: 26-week maternity (POSH Act 2013), ICC constitution requirements, state-wise Professional Tax slabs, Shops and Establishment provisions, and the four Labour Codes (in force since 21 Nov 2025). Our pack is drafted for Indian labour law from ground up.
How to deploy the pack in your startup
Download the ZIP, replace <Company Name>, <State> and <Wage Ceiling> placeholders, and get the CEO plus HR lead to sign off. Circulate the handbook to all employees with a one-page summary. Refresh the pack annually every January to reflect any Labour Code notifications or state rule changes.