An employee handbook is a guide that contains a series of rules, regulation and policies about a company’s operation.

It is used to instill awareness of key policies among the employees and at the same time safeguard the company’s interest, financially and legally.

Often, an employee handbook is given to complement the employment or contract letter, and in a lot of ways, acts as a reference for matters not covered in the agreement contract. Whether the employee will make the employee handbook his good friend for reference is another story.

Generally, an employee handbook is printed out as a small booklet (between 10-30 pages), and upon receiving a copy of it, an employee will normally be asked to sign a statement of acceptance of the terms and conditions. Take note that from the employee’s point of view, this is a very important step and do not just blindly sign the papers without knowing what’s in store for you.

The last thing you want to happen is being dragged to court by your very own employer for the wrongdoing in your parts, and was already covered on a document you already signed.

Some of the important topics generally covered in an employee handbook may include usage of company property, confidentiality and proprietary of information, dress code, smoking policy, employment classification, sexual harassment, performance review, misconduct, safety and health regulations, work hours, maternity/paternity leaves, employee assistance program, conflict of interest and disciplinary procedures.

A good sample of an employee handbook is give by Florida Home Business Association, FHBA. Click here to download the sample handbook (in Word format).

If you’re taking a break from your work and thinking of flying a business class for holiday, consider Singapore Airlines.

The airline was recently named The Best Overall Airline in the annually held Skytrax awards, retaining its status as the world number one commercial carrier. It also takes home the Best Business Class trophy for the year 2008, adding to an already long string of impressive accomplishments.

Singapore Airlines is trailed by Cathay, Qantas, Thai Airways, Asiana, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Emirates and Etihad Aiways in the overall category.

It is the third time the airline has won the best overall carrier award for the last 10 years.

The Skytrax award is the most prestigious airlines award in the world at the moment, and involves a survey which was participated by a few million airline passengers throughout the world.

In the business class category, Singapore Airlines shrugged of from competitors Air New Zealand and British Airways, which came 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Skytrax survey found that Singapore Airlines offers ‘the most spacious business class seat the world has ever seen’.

In the same award, Virgin Atlantic won the Best Business Class Lounge category, winning it for second year in a row.

Maybank2u.com allows you to do a lot of things from the comfort of your home.

Through Maybank2u, you can make a lot of transactions, such as paying for credit card, utility bills, vehicle loan, tithe (zakat), airline tickets, study loan, giro and third party transfer, income tax, and many more.

One additional function you can do with Maybank2u is making transaction to your Tabung Haji bank account. A Tabung Haji account is considered a must-have banking account for all Muslims in Malaysia, as it becomes a financial vehicle for pilgrimage, on top of being an investment tool.

However, unlike transferring money to third party and giro accounts, which is done through the Funds Transfer menu, creating a transaction system for Tabung Haji account requires a different step, that is via Online Bill Payment. It is as if you’re making payment to registered companies such as TNB (electric bill) or TM (phone bill).

Here are the steps towards setting up your Tabung Haji payment account:

1. Choose the Online Bill Payment menu

2. Click Bill Registration

3. Scroll down the list and find the corporation. In this case, it’s Lembaga Tabung Haji. Click next.

4. Fill up the account number and holder’s name. A new Tabung Haji account has 15 digits, while the old one has 8. It’s acceptable to use the old number (as you’d still need to fill up the IC number each time making transfer, so the bank will check it is the right account), but it is advisable for you to upgrade to the new, 15 digit account number.

Click register and the registration is done after you’ve filled up the TAC sent to your mobile phone.

5. Now, every time you want to make payment from Maybank2u to your Tabung Haji account, just go to Registered Payment, and a list your registered payment accounts will appear.

Chose one you want to make transfer to. Note that Tabung Haji charges RM1.50 for each transaction made.