5 employee handbook examples you should steal from

At HandbookHub, we live and breathe employee handbooks. And while we help companies generate their own in minutes, we also love looking at how other organizations do it.

Some companies have turned their handbooks into works of art — not just dry policy manuals, but living documents that shape culture, guide new hires, and inspire teams.

Here are five employee handbook examples we’re personally inspired by — and what you should steal from each one:

1. PostHog – Radical Transparency

🔗 PostHog Handbook

PostHog puts everything out in the open. Their handbook is public, detailed, and written in a way that feels approachable. It’s not just rules — it’s a complete guide to how the company works.

What you should steal from it:

• Make parts (or all) of your handbook public for transparency.
• Write policies in plain, human language.
• Document not just “rules,” but how your company works.

2. Basecamp (37signals) – Simple and Human

🔗 Basecamp Handbook

Basecamp is famous for its calm, no-drama work culture. Their handbook reflects that: clear, concise, and easy to read.

What you should steal from it:

• Cut out corporate jargon — write like you talk.
• Focus on principles, not endless policies.
• Use your handbook to reinforce your company’s unique culture.

3. Trello – Visual and Interactive

🔗 Trello Employee Handbook

Trello hosts its handbook on… Trello. It’s visual, interactive, and easy to navigate — an inventive way to make policies engaging.

What you should steal from it:

• Don’t limit yourself to a PDF — try an interactive format.
• Use visuals and structure to make content digestible.
• Host your handbook in a tool your team already uses daily.

4. GitLab – The Ultimate Handbook

🔗 GitLab Handbook

GitLab’s handbook is legendary — possibly the most comprehensive one in existence. It documents everything, from workflows to company strategy.

What you should steal from it:

• Document more than policies — include processes and strategy.
• Treat your handbook as a living document, always updated.
• Embrace async communication and remote-first best practices.

5. Valve – A Handbook With Personality

🔗 Valve Handbook (PDF)

Valve’s handbook is quirky and full of humor, almost like a comic book. It captures the company’s culture perfectly while still providing practical guidance.

What you should steal from it:

• Add personality — your handbook can be fun, not boring.
• Use design and illustrations to make it memorable.
• Show culture through tone as much as through policies.

Final Thoughts

At HandbookHub, we’re inspired by how these companies approach handbooks:

• Transparency from PostHog
• Simplicity from Basecamp
• Interactivity from Trello
• Comprehensiveness from GitLab
• Personality from Valve

Your own handbook doesn’t have to be massive or fancy — but it should reflect your company’s values and be genuinely useful.

👉 If you’re ready to create one, HandbookHub can help you generate a custom employee handbook in minutes — taking inspiration from the best, but making it your own.

Would you like me to make those "What you should steal" sections more short + punchy (bulleted, 2–3 items max) or a bit more detailed with mini-explanations?