First Hire: Build Your Employee Handbook

Hiring your first employee is exciting—but suddenly, all those things you’ve been handling informally need to become actual policies.
About this Event

In this hands-on, 2-hour workshop, you’ll create a basic employee handbook that gives your new team members clear expectations and gives you a solid foundation for managing your growing business.

We’ll walk through the essential sections every new employer should consider, including workplace expectations, attendance, communication, compensation, time off, technology use, confidentiality, and other important policies. You’ll work through a practical template during the workshop so you leave with more than a bunch of notes—you’ll leave with a working first draft of your own employee handbook.

What You’ll Learn

• What belongs in a basic employee handbook
• Policies you should establish before hiring
• How to clearly communicate expectations to employees
• Common mistakes new employers make with employee policies
• How to keep your handbook simple, useful, and easy to update
• When you should consult an HR professional or employment attorney

What You’ll Leave With

A customized, foundational employee handbook you can continue refining as your business grows—plus the confidence that you’ve started the hiring process with clear expectations and better systems.

Perfect for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners who are preparing to hire their first employees or have recently made their first hire.

Bring your laptop! You’ll be working on your handbook throughout the workshop.

Note: This workshop provides educational guidance and a practical starting template. It is not legal advice, and your completed handbook should be reviewed by an appropriate HR or employment-law professional before implementation.

This workshop is presented by
At Apex Business Center, it’s not just an office, it’s a relationship.

Apex Business Center offers private, fully furnished offices and meeting rooms in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, designed for entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses alike. Our staff are here to help you grow your business with administrative assistance, phone answering services, and a warm greeting for all of your guests.

Just steps from Monument Circle and downtown’s best restaurants and attractions, Apex puts you close to everything while giving you the privacy and flexibility to work your way.

Parking Garage

Use the parking garage located at 101 West Ohio St, please bring your ticket to the event for validation.