Employee Handbook Manual Essay Example

relevant information on this matter,a study was conducted among 15 companies.The objective was to determine whether these companies offered separate Induction Kits or combined them into a single kit,and how this approach benefited them in terms of organizing their HR functions more efficiently.Certain companies have showcased their successful results.

6 out of the 15 companies displayed the entire content of their kit. Consequently, it was decided to restrict the Employee Handbook and HR Manual. An informal interview took place at RMC India to collect employee perspectives on two kits, along with the challenges they encountered upon joining and their suggestions. The Employee Handbook included policies such as code of conduct, conflict of interest, confidentiality, punctuality and attendance, visitor policy, personal records, no smoking/alcohol/tobacco policy, workplace sexual harassment policy, and loans to employees. On the other hand, the HR Manual encompassed policies like categorization of employees based on class, appointment of ex-employees, employment of close relations' employees,
performance management system,
employee welfare program,
mentoring,
career development opportunities,
and employee assessment form.
Modifications were made to existing policies such as travel policy,
telephone bills policy,
vehicle policy,
and revised employee probation form.
The project's objective is to formalize RMC India's Employee Handbook and HR Manual.The objective of the project is to create a comprehensive Employee Handbook and HR Manual for RMC India. Having an employee handbook and HR manual in companies is necessary as they provide accurate information about responsibilities, rules and regulations, procedures, and policies to employees, managers, and higher-ups. Implementing these manuals reduces the workload of the HR department by allowing more information to be distributed through them. Additionally, these manuals aim to establish policies that should be included in them. The research methodology aims to

determine if companies use two separate kits or just one for their employees and decide whether to create one handbook or two.To gather all the necessary details for an employee handbook and HR manual, as well as to identify the problems employees face due to the lack of information and understand the benefits of these manuals for employees and the HR department, research was conducted. This research included gathering data from RMC India employees and HR Heads of 15 organizations in Mumbai.

The research design involved spending one week collecting data from 15 different organizations to determine if they have separate kits. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The information related to existing policy was collected over a period of 3-4 weeks, with one week dedicated to gathering the employees' perspective or suggestions. The sample size for the study included 10 employees at the staff level in RMC India.

To determine whether to create a manual or handbook, a survey was conducted in 15 companies. The primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires and personal informal interviews. The questionnaires were filled out by the HR-Head of each company, with only six questions related to the study objectives included due to their busy schedules and time constraints.

The questionnaire consisted of subjective and nonsubjective queries. The gathered data was analyzed, interpreted, and utilized to draw conclusions. Moreover, there were 10 employees who underwent a brief interview in order to comprehend the policies they must be aware of as well as the obstacles they encounter in their daily activities within the HR department. Throughout the survey process, both HR Heads from other companies and RMC India employees demonstrated exceptional

support and cooperation.

They have provided genuine and helpful answers to assist with the completion of the project.

The following secondary sources were utilized:
- Books
- Manuals from other organizations
- Relevant websites

This information was valuable for creating an index and developing policies.

A review of literature is a comprehensive examination of current knowledge on a specific topic. It discusses published information within a particular subject area and sometimes within a certain time period.

Well-written policies not only serve as effective communication tools but also help mitigate legal risks and provide a stronger defense against potential lawsuits, according to EJ Sarma. Employers should avoid combining an employee handbook and a policies and procedures manual into one document, advises EJ.

A step-by-step plan for developing an employee handbook includes:
- Determining policies, practices, and procedures.
- Using the manual to assist employees in making adjustments.
- Adapting information to accommodate change.
- Employing a well-written manual to support employees and supervisors.

An employee handbook, also known as an employee manual or staff handbook, provides information regarding guidelines, expectations, and procedures of a business or company to its employees.

All employees are provided with an Employee Handbook on their first day of work, which familiarizes them with the company and its policies. It is vital for companies of all sizes to have written company policies, as indicated by the increasing number of employee lawsuits against management in compliance with federal and state laws.

• MENTORING

The term "mentor" has its origins in the Greek epic poem

The Odyssey
.
According to the myth, Odysseus entrusted his son, Telemachus, to a friend named 'Mentor' while he went off to battle. Mentor played a

mentoring role for Telemachus as well.

The concept of a 'mentor' has become well-known as a wise and supportive advisor. An analysis of mythology shows that the relationship between Telemachas and Mentor is mutually beneficial, with some versions of the myth even depicting Telemachas saving Mentor's life.

• Ways to develop successful wise man behavior:
• Understand the unique role of mentors in today's workplace.
• Determine the most effective mentoring style for your situation.
• Establish understanding to ensure a successful and respectful relationship.
• Avoid behaviors that may hinder mentee growth and development. By- GORDEN F.SHEA
  
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  Performance management - A management process for ensuring employees are directing their work efforts in ways that contribute to achieving the agency's mission. It consists of three phases:
  
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  Setting expectations for employee performance,
  
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  Maintaining a dialogue between supervisor and employee to monitor performance and progress,
  
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  Evaluating actual performance in relation to performance expectations.
  

INDUSTRY PROFILE

The ready mix concrete industry in

India is still in its infancy, but it is an emerging sector.

Ready mix concrete (RMC) is a pre-made material that contains a pre-set combination of cement, sand, aggregates, and water. RMC is a specific type of concrete that is produced at a factory according to a specific formula or customer specifications. It is manufactured at centrally located batching plants. The purchase and sale of ready mixed concrete are typically measured by volume, usually in cubic meters. RMC can be tailored to suit various applications. It is transported to the construction site, often in trucks equipped with mixing capabilities to blend the concrete ingredients on the way or shortly before delivery of the batch.

The consequences of this are a precise mixture, allowing for a specialized concrete mixture to be developed and implemented on construction sites. One option is to mix the concrete at the batching works and deliver blended concrete to the site in an agitator truck, which maintains the blended concrete in proper form. For centrally blended concrete, the drum that transports the concrete rotates slowly to prevent segregation and stiffening caused by initial set. However, for truck blended concrete, the batched materials (gravel, sand, and cement) are transported and water is only added during mixing. In this case, cement is exposed to moisture or damp materials and this stage must not exceed the allowable period, typically 90 minutes.

The utilization of RMC is made easier with a truck-mounted 'boom placer' that can pump the product for immediate use at multi-story construction sites. A boom placer can pump the concrete up to 80 meters. RMC is chosen over on-site concrete mixing due to the accuracy of

the mixture and reduced work site clutter. It enables fast construction through scheduled delivery on-site and mechanized operation, resulting in cost savings in labor, project time, site supervision, and overall expenditure.

Proper control and economic system in usage of natural resources results in saving of these resources. It ensures consistent quality by accurately controlling the quantities of materials and water according to mix designs. It reduces wastage of cement during bulk handling and eliminates dust issues, making it pollution free. However, there are some drawbacks of Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) such as dual handling, which adds extra cost and leads to weight losses. It also requires storage facilities for cement and a large area on site to store natural resources.

Sums become mixed and impurities are introduced due to factors such as air current, conditions, and mishandling at the construction site. Another disadvantage of RMC is improper mixing at the site, as there is ineffective control and intangible costs associated with disorganized preparation at the site. There are always possibilities of errors and manipulation when concreting is done by workers who control the concrete mixes and water cement ratio. Ready mixed concrete in its damp state poses a health risk, and therefore employers must assess it under the control of substances hazardous to health regulations 1994 if their workers may be exposed to it.

The first ready mix mill, constructed in the 1930s, remained in a stationary position until the 1960s, but has been steadily growing since then. The two leading providers of ready mix concrete worldwide are Cemex, a Mexican concrete and cement company, and their main competitor Lafarge, based in France. In India, the ready mix

concrete industry is still in its early stages. Unlike developed countries where about 70% of cement consumption is from ready mix concrete and 25% from recast concrete, in India ready mix concrete accounts for less than 5%, and site-mixed concrete makes up as much as 82% of cement consumption.

In Japan, a developed state, around 70% of the produced cement is used by ready mix concrete concern. However, in India, only approximately 2% of the total cement production is utilized by ready mix concrete concern due to various reasons. During the early 70s, there was a shortage of supply which led to controlled pricing and distribution of cement. This created difficulties in implementing ready mix concrete engineering as investors were concerned about the availability of cement for such projects. Moreover, additional taxes and duties like entry tax and excise duty imposed on RMC further hindered the progress of this concept.

The demand for RMC is primarily driven by tube metropoliss, such as Mumbai. According to ICRA analysis, the mandatory usage of RMC in the construction of overpasses has provided the necessary impetus for growth. RMC is especially beneficial in congested sites where there is limited space for setting up the sociable and stockpile of aggregates. It is also advantageous when only small quantities of concrete are needed or when concrete needs to be placed at intervals. Although the concept of ready mix concrete is still gaining popularity in the country, cement giants are eagerly entering this new area. Cement companies like Associated Cement Companies, Grasim, L&Amp;T, India Cement, Priyadarshini Cements, Chettined cement, and Madra Cements are tapping into the RMC business. It is expected that the share

of RMC will increase from the current level of 5% of total cement production to the global average of 70%, as reported by industry participants.

The RMC industry has successfully overcome the dentition problem, with over 37 RMC works currently producing over 1 lakh cubic meters of various concrete every month. RMC works are also operating in the Delhi area. To meet the high demand, cement major ACC is planning to expand its existing RMC infrastructure of 11 units by adding 2 new RMC units - one in Noida and another in Mumbai - during this year. In the previous financial year, Madras Cements established two RMC works near Chennai, with a capacity of approximately 9 lakh cubic meters, while Chettinad Cements installed an RMC facility near Coimbatore. Grasim's RMC business generated a turnover of Rs. 116 crore in 2003-04, compared to the turnover of Rs.

During the previous year, the amount of 59.8 crore was obtained. To promote the growth of industry, it is crucial for government bodies, designers, contractors, engineers, private builders, and individuals to have full awareness regarding the benefits of utilizing ready mix concrete. It is necessary for government bodies and consultants to incorporate ready mix concrete as a mandatory requirement in their specifications for execution. In addition, the specifications for CPWD and PWD jobs by the government should specifically include ready mix concrete as a compulsory item. Furthermore, tax breaks are essential for the growth of RMC, and it is important to discourage contractors and developers from stockpiling materials such as sand and metal.

The use of ready mix concrete in road construction and footways offers several advantages over site mix concrete. According

to IS 456:2000, the materials used for producing ready mix concrete must meet the specified requirements. The RMC manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the quality of concrete and obtaining approval for the mix design from the buyer. Some of the benefits of using ready mix concrete include reduced time required, elimination of labor associated with concrete production, better quality concrete, elimination of storage space for materials at the site, reduced wastage of materials, elimination of procurement and machinery hiring, ability to serve residential areas with delivery trucks from centrally located batching plants designated for industrial use, reduced noise and dust pollution on site, and the ability for a centralized batching plant to serve a large area.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using ready mix concrete. The concrete has a limited time span between mixing and setting, which means it should be placed within 2 hours of batching at the plant. Although the concrete is still workable after this point, it may not meet relevant specifications. Additionally, access roads and sites must be able to support the weight of the delivery trucks, as ready mix concrete weighs approximately 2.5 tonnes per cubic meter.
In the UK, companies known as 'minimix' companies, such as Nimblemix, Micromix, Diddimix, and Able mix, are able to overcome the job by using smaller 4m3 capacity vehicles that can access more restricted sites. The materials are batched at central plants and the mixing process begins at those plants. It is crucial to consider travel time from the plant to the site, especially for longer distances. While some sites may be too far away, this is usually an issue related to commercial considerations

rather than technical limitations. Some major players in the cement industry that have entered into the RMC (Ready-Mix Concrete) business include Associated Cement Companies, Grasim, L, India Cements, Priyadarshini Cements, Chettinad Cement, Madras cement, Ultra tech, Birla Readymix concrete, and RMC Readymix (India) Pvt Ltd. A few leading ready-mix concrete providers worldwide are PCM and Cemex from Mexico; their main competitor is Lafarge based in France.

Projection for future

• The growth in urban infrastructure and boom in the real estate business have been main drivers of growth in RMC business.
• The factors making RMC more attractive is the large construction projects, quality, and time.

Ready mix concrete is expected to be the fastest growing market through 2012, increasing its position as the largest establishment for cement. Ready mix concrete companies account for a relatively small but rising portion of total cement demand in a number of fast growing developing countries like China and India, where large scale construction projects will require significant amounts of ready mix concrete. Consumer demand for cement will also expand at an above average rate, stimulated by overall market growth in developing countries, where consumer sales can account for half or more of all cement demand. Based on the demand for RMC equipment, manufacturers say that the industry has been growing at approximately 30% annually for the last 2-3 years and is likely to sustain this level for the next few years.

COMPANY PROFILE

Regardless of its industry, a company's heritage is the fundamental value that stands out and distinguishes it from competitors. Over

the past decade, RMC Readymix ( India ) Pvt Ltd has focused on selling ready mixed concrete, which has allowed the company to strengthen and refine certain characteristics for which it is well-known and respected. These include setting industry standards for best practices, ensuring quality assurance, providing excellent customer service, improving health and safety measures, preserving the environment, and upholding a high level of integrity, transparency, and professionalism. RMC Readymix ( India ) Pvt Ltd is a subsidiary of Hathway Investment Pvt. Ltd.

In 1996, Ltd started commercial production with guidance from RMC UK, the world's largest manufacturer of ready mixed concrete. RMC India achieved a significant milestone by establishing India's first Ready Mixed Concrete plant, using top-of-the-line machinery and quality assurance systems. To ensure the highest quality product reaches customers, concrete is transported using well-maintained transit mixers, boom pumps, and line pumps. RMC India follows the quality assurance procedures outlined in the United Kingdom's QSRMC (Quality Strategy for Ready Mixed Concrete).

This strategy fully covers every aspect of the entire business. As a leader in the industry, RMC India has successfully introduced specific concretes, including Fiber-reinforced Concrete that prevents Plastic Shrinkage Cracking and improves concrete's scratch and impact resistance. Additionally, Coloured Concretes are used to enhance any environment. Temperature Modified Concrete is designed to minimize thermal checking in mass concrete. RMC India also produces Slurrified Microsilica Concrete, which is a high-performance material for caustic marine conditions, and this is another first in India for RMC.

Furthermore, RMC India incorporates GGBS and PFA in their concrete to enhance durability. One of RMC's greatest strengths lies in their people. The company takes pride in having highly qualified and

experienced personnel in all positions, whether it be engineers, office assistants, or transit operators. These individuals bring a passion for quality and service to their work, aligning with the company's commitment to excellence. In fact, all of RMC's technical and sales staff undergo both initial and advanced courses conducted by the reputable City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI), and certain key staff members receive training abroad.

As a sign of involvement, RMC's experts were invited to contribute to the drafting of the Revised Indian Code for Ready Mixed Concrete: IS 4926, which demonstrates industry recognition. Health. The Company has always given high priority to this area of global concern, insisting that HSE begins from the very beginning. This focus on safety influences every aspect of RMC's operations, from selecting a location and equipment to protecting people within the plant layout. RMC India sets an example when it comes to the environment.

All designed to reduce the spread of dust emissions, RMC India has also implemented a water re-use system where all water is recycled. Additionally, there is an annual competition in which departments compete for the RMC India Safety Trophy. Finally, RMC India is committed to conducting business transparently and ethically, from the selection and acquisition of land for its units to the disclosure of ingredients used in its products and compliance with all governmental regulations in a timely manner. The company has established policy guidelines that emphasize ethical business practices.

RMC India believes in the rule that "Happy employees bring success to the Company." The company values a positive and open environment that promotes professionalism and performance. Respect for individuals and effective communication are at

the core of its values. RMC India understands that it is not businesses that create value for customers, but rather the people behind them. This philosophy guides the company's relationship with its employees. Below is the management team of RMC India:

MANAGEMENT TEAM OF RMC INDIA

Sanjay Nikam