--- title: "[Real Life HR] Reusing Another Company's Handbook: Is It a Risk?" description: Discover the risks and considerations of reusing another company's employee handbook and why it's crucial to tailor it to your organization's needs. image: https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/employee-handbook-1.jpg --- - Our Solutions - [Payroll Services](https://www.ahola.com/payroll-services/) - [Time and Attendance Software](https://www.ahola.com/time-attendance/) - [Human Resources Software](https://www.ahola.com/human-resources-software/) - [Human Resources Consulting](https://www.ahola.com/human-resources-consulting/) - [Applicant Tracking and Onboarding Software](https://www.ahola.com/hiring-onboarding/) - [Benefits Administration Software](https://www.ahola.com/benefits-administration-tools/) - [Learning Management System](https://info.ahola.com/learning-management-system) - [Mobile App & Employee Self-Service](https://info.ahola.com/mobile-app-employee-self-service) - [Employee Retention Tax Credit](https://info.ahola.com/employee-retention-tax-credit) - Why Ahola? - [Client Testimonials](https://info.ahola.com/client-testimonials) - [Locations](https://ahola.com/locations/) - [About Us](https://www.ahola.com/about-us/) - [Our History](https://www.ahola.com/our-history/) - [Our Executive Team](https://www.ahola.com/executive-team/) - [Our Sales Team](https://ahola.com/sales-team/) - [Contact Us](https://www.ahola.com/contact-us/) - Learning Center - [Blog](https://blog.ahola.com/) - [Webinars](https://info.ahola.com/webinars) - [Year-End Resources](https://info.ahola.com/payroll-year-end-resources) - [Tax Compliance](https://www.ahola.com/tax-compliance/) - [Free Payroll Calculators](https://www.ahola.com/payroll-calculators/) - [Subscribe](https://info.ahola.com/subscribe) - Client Center - [Login](https://www.ahola.com/login/) - [Client Support](https://www.ahola.com/support/) - [Employee Login Help](https://info.ahola.com/employee-login-help) - [Ahola Client Referral Program](https://ahola.com/refer/) - [Pricing](https://ahola.com/request-a-demo/) - [Careers](https://ahola.com/careers/) ** [* * ](https://blog.ahola.com/reusing-another-companys-handbook-is-it-a-risk#) [![Aloha](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Ahola_August2021/images/ahola-logo.svg "Aloha")](https://www.ahola.com/) Start typing and press Enter to search * * # [Real Life HR] Reusing Another Company's Handbook: Is It a Risk? [Home](https://www.ahola.com/) » [News & Events](https://blog.ahola.com/reusing-another-companys-handbook-is-it-a-risk) » [Real Life HR] Reusing Another Company's Handbook: Is It a Risk? [2025-02-07%2017:29:56](2025-02-07%2017:29:56) ![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/employee-handbook-1.jpg) ## [Real Life HR] Reusing Another Company's Handbook: Is It a Risk? By [ Ahola Corporation ](https://blog.ahola.com/author/ahola-corporation)  Posted [ February 7, 2025](2025-02-07%2017:29:56)  In  [Payroll](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll), [Human Resources](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources), [Employees](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees), [onboarding](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/onboarding), [Laws/Policies](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/laws-policies) - - - - - **Q: ****My company has an **[**employee handbook**](https://blog.ahola.com/8-ways-an-employee-handbook-can-create-a-great-workplace)**, but it hasn’t been updated in several years. A friend of mine recently had a new employee handbook created by a lawyer and offered to share it with me. Is there any concern with using it for my company?** **A:** While some policies may be adaptable, using another company’s handbook as your own is not recommended for several reasons: 1. **Labor laws vary by company size.** If the other company is a different size, the handbook may lack key policies and legal requirements that apply to your organization. 2. **A handbook should reflect your company’s policies.** It should outline specific rules on time off, timekeeping, and benefits such as holidays and leaves of absence. A borrowed handbook may not align with your organization’s practices. 3. **Company-specific details need to be updated.** Employee handbooks often include mission statements, company names, and leadership titles. These would need to be carefully revised to reflect your business. Using another company’s handbook can lead to compliance issues and inconsistencies. It’s also easy to overlook outdated or irrelevant policies. To ensure your handbook is accurate and aligned with your business needs, it’s best to consult an HR professional or legal expert when making updates. *This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law. * ### Reply a Comment ## RELATED POSTS [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/redd-f-5U_28ojjgms-unsplash.jpg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-department-with-high-turnover) [[Real Life HR] Department with High Turnover](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-department-with-high-turnover) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/files.jpg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/8-ways-an-employee-handbook-can-create-a-great-workplace) [8 Ways an Employee Handbook Can Create a Great Workplace](https://blog.ahola.com/8-ways-an-employee-handbook-can-create-a-great-workplace) [![](https://blog.ahola.com/hubfs/pexels-fauxels-3182781.jpg) ](https://blog.ahola.com/7-tips-to-run-an-effective-meeting) [7 Tips to Run an Effective Meeting](https://blog.ahola.com/7-tips-to-run-an-effective-meeting) ## SUBSCRIBE ### Recent posts - [[Real Life HR] Do I Have to Provide Breaks to My Employees? ](https://blog.ahola.com/real-life-hr-do-i-have-to-provide-breaks-to-my-employees) - [IRS Increases Standard Business Mileage Rate to 76 Cents Per Mile Beginning July 1, 2026 ](https://blog.ahola.com/irs-increases-standard-business-mileage-rate-to-76-cents-per-mile-beginning-july-1-2026) - [Michael Paull Featured Again on CFO.com: Building Stronger Banking Relationships ](https://blog.ahola.com/building-stronger-banking-relationships) - ### Topics - [Affordable Care Act (13)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/affordable-care-act) - [Benefits (223)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/benefits) - [Cybersecurity (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/cybersecurity) - [Employee Engagement (255)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employee-engagement) - [Employees (605)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/employees) - [Family Business Insights (11)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/family-business-insights) - [Finance (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/finance) - [Hiring (282)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/hiring) - [Human Resources (649)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/human-resources) - [Laws/Policies (27)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/laws-policies) - [Managing COVID-19 (153)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/managing-covid-19) - [News Release (57)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/news-release) - [Offboarding (3)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/offboarding) - [onboarding (7)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/onboarding) - [Payroll (432)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/payroll) - [Recruiting (142)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/recruiting) - [Safety (121)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/safety) - [Tax Compliance (231)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/tax-compliance) - [Time & Attendance (124)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/time-attendance) - [Training & Development (214)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/training-development) - [Trending Topic (75)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/trending-topic) - [Uncategorized (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/uncategorized) - [Webinars (69)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/webinars) - [Workers Comp (1)](https://blog.ahola.com/tag/workers-comp) [see all topics](https://blog.ahola.com/reusing-another-companys-handbook-is-it-a-risk#) ### GENERAL DISCLAIMER This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. 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