APPENDIX F
MODEL INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOE EMPLOYMENT MANUALS

Introduction

It is a pleasure to welcome you as a new employee of the [Employer]. We hope it will be a mutually beneficial association.

The [Employer] abides by all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations affecting employment. In case of any conflict between these policies and local laws, the applicable legal requirements will prevail.

This Handbook applies to all employees of the [Employer]. Because this Handbook is intended to acquaint you with our personnel policies, regulations, benefits, and related information, please read it through carefully, and, if you have any questions, contact your supervisor.

The provisions set forth in this Employee Handbook indicate the current policies of the [Employer] with respect to general employee matters. The provisions in this Employee Handbook supersede all existing policies and practices, oral or in writing, and may not be amended or added to without the express written approval of the [Employer].

Nature of Employment

Your employment with the [Employer] is voluntarily entered into and you are free to resign at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, the [Employer] is free to terminate any employment relationship at any time, with or without notice or cause, so long as there is no violation of applicable law. Accordingly, neither you nor the [Employer] has entered into any contract of employment, express or implied. This employee handbook and its policies do not create a contract between any employee(s) and the [Employer]. Our relationship is and always will be one of voluntary employment "at-will".

Management Rights

The [Employer} recognizes the importance of the policies, procedures, and other information set forth in this Handbook. However, the items set forth in this Handbook are not conditions of employment. The [Employer] reserves the right to make changes or to eliminate policies and benefits, and the right to give current policies, procedures or benefits a different interpretation in a particular situation. The [Employer] reserves the right to modify policies, procedures, and benefits at any time, for any reason with or without notice. All modifications must have the written approval of the [Executive Director]. Therefore, before relying on an item in this Handbook, you should check with the [Executive Director] as to whether the item is still current.

In addition, you may not be eligible for the various benefits described in this Manual; you may be required to satisfy certain eligibility requirements before obtaining coverage. In some instances, state or federal laws may impose requirements in addition to stated [Employer} policy. In such cases, those legal requirements will prevail over general policy. Further, in any situation where insurance or other benefit plans are concerned, the terms of the policy or plan prevail over statements contained in this Handbook.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of [the employer] that employment shall be based on merit qualifications, and competence. It is our policy to abide by all laws pertaining to fair employment practices and to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, status as a Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected status under federal, state or local law.⁴²³ This policy governs all areas of employment, including hiring, promotion, assignment and discharge.

Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment

See Appendix W

[TO BE PLACED IN FRONT OF HANDBOOK ON SEPARATE PAGE]

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

This Employee Handbook describes important information about the [Employer] and I understand that I should consult my supervisor regarding any questions not answered in the Handbook. I have entered into my employment relationship with the [Employer] voluntarily and acknowledge that there is no specified length of employment. Accordingly, either I or the [Employer] can terminate the relationship at-will, with or without cause, at any time.

Since the information, policies, and benefits described here are necessarily subject to change, I acknowledge that revisions to the Handbook may occur, except to the [Employer's] policy of employment-at-will. All such changes will be communicated through official notices, and I understand that revised information may supersede, modify, or eliminate existing policies. Only the [Executive Director or Board of Directors of the Employer] has the ability to adopt any revisions to the policies in this handbook.

Furthermore, I acknowledge that this Handbook is neither a contract of employment nor a legal document. No provisions of this Handbook constitute legal or contractual obligations of the [Employer] and the [Employer] is free to change any provision at any time within its sole discretion. I have received the Handbook and I understand that it is my responsibility to read and comply with the policies contained in this Handbook and any revisions made to it.

EMPLOYEE'S NAME:

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

[FILE ORIGINAL IN PERSONNEL FILE]

423 In New York City, add "alienage and citizenship." In Connecticut, add "history of past or present mental disorder, mental retardation, learning disability, or physical disability including but not limited to blindness."