How can we change the wording in our handbooks?

The key issues when updating (or for that matter creating) a staff handbook are:

• how contractual terms are distinguished from non-contractual terms; and
• which parts of the handbook apply only to employees and which will also apply to other workers, for example, agency workers.

It is generally recommended that employers should make their policies and procedures non-contractual to enable them to implement changes without having to seek employee consent. Staff members are still bound by non-contractual policies due to the implied duty to obey lawful and reasonable orders.

I would need to see the wording of your handbook and discuss in more detail whether it (or any section of it) is likely