2026 Draft Employee Handbook
Welcome to Proactive Risk!
This handbook outlines key policies and expectations for all team members. It is not an employment contract. Employment is at-will, meaning either you or the company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.
Employment Classification
All team members are hired as W-2 employees under New Jersey Wage & Hour Law.
W-2 Employees: Eligible for minimum wage, overtime, paid sick leave, statutory benefits, and healthcare coverage.
Healthcare Coverage:
Proactive Risk offers healthcare coverage to all eligible employees. Employees may choose to opt-in to the program or opt-out based on their personal preference. Details regarding plan options, enrollment periods, and costs will be provided during onboarding.
Work Hours & Attendance
Pay, Overtime & Work HoursPay Schedule: Employees are paid biweekly through direct deposit.
Minimum Wage & Pay Calculation:
The current New Jersey minimum wage is $15.49 per hour (effective 2025). Your actual hourly rate will be stated in your offer letter. For non-exempt employees, annual pay is based on 2,080 hours per year:
Example:
If your hourly rate is $15.49:
$15.49 × 2,080 = $32,219.20
Work Hours:
Working fewer than 40 hours may affect eligibility for certain benefits (such as health insurance or paid time off), based on company policy and state regulations.
Overtime:
Overtime is paid according to state and federal law. Hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek are compensated at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate.
Example: If your hourly rate is $15.49, overtime pay is:
$15.49 × 1.5 = $23.24
Unauthorized overtime may lead to disciplinary action; however, all overtime worked will be paid as required by law. If you work less than 40 hours, you are not eligible for overtime pay.
Paid Time Off
New Jersey Statutory Benefits
Equal Employment Opportunity
Proactive Risk prohibits discrimination based on any protected category under NJ law.
Harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
Whistleblower Protection: Covered under NJ CEPA.
Workplace Conduct
Maintain professionalism and comply with safety/security protocols.
Follow company policies on confidentiality and ethical behavior.
Expense Reimbursement
Reimbursements follow NJ law and GSA Per Diem guidelines with receipts must be submitted within 30 days using Expensify format.
Disclaimer
This handbook summarizes policies and does not create a contract. Policies may change at any time.
This handbook outlines key policies and expectations for all team members. It is not an employment contract. Employment is at-will, meaning either you or the company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.
Employment Classification
All team members are hired as W-2 employees under New Jersey Wage & Hour Law.
W-2 Employees: Eligible for minimum wage, overtime, paid sick leave, statutory benefits, and healthcare coverage.
Healthcare Coverage:
Proactive Risk offers healthcare coverage to all eligible employees. Employees may choose to opt-in to the program or opt-out based on their personal preference. Details regarding plan options, enrollment periods, and costs will be provided during onboarding.
Work Hours & Attendance
- Standard Shift: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (8.5 hours per day)
- Lunch Break: One unpaid 30-minute break per shift, typically between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Timekeeping: Employees must clock in and out daily and submit accurate timesheets weekly via Intuit T-Sheets
- Performance Metrics: All employees are expected to meet job performance standards as outlined by management
Pay, Overtime & Work HoursPay Schedule: Employees are paid biweekly through direct deposit.
Minimum Wage & Pay Calculation:
The current New Jersey minimum wage is $15.49 per hour (effective 2025). Your actual hourly rate will be stated in your offer letter. For non-exempt employees, annual pay is based on 2,080 hours per year:
Example:
If your hourly rate is $15.49:
$15.49 × 2,080 = $32,219.20
Work Hours:
- Full-Time Employees: Scheduled for 40 hours per week. If you work fewer than 40 hours, your pay will reflect the actual hours worked at your regular hourly rate.
- Part-Time Employees: Paid for the hours worked. There is no guarantee of 40 hours per week unless stated in your employment agreement.
Working fewer than 40 hours may affect eligibility for certain benefits (such as health insurance or paid time off), based on company policy and state regulations.
Overtime:
Overtime is paid according to state and federal law. Hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek are compensated at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate.
Example: If your hourly rate is $15.49, overtime pay is:
$15.49 × 1.5 = $23.24
Unauthorized overtime may lead to disciplinary action; however, all overtime worked will be paid as required by law. If you work less than 40 hours, you are not eligible for overtime pay.
Paid Time Off
- Personal Time Off: 10 days per year, accrued based on company policy.
- Paid Holidays:
- New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19, 2026
- President’s Day – Monday, February 16, 2026
- Good Friday – Friday, April 3, 2026
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2026
- Independence Day Observed – Friday, July 3, 2026
- Labor Day – Monday, September 7, 2026
- Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Day After Thanksgiving – Friday, November 27, 2026
- Christmas Eve – Thursday, December 24, 2026
- Christmas Day – Friday, December 25, 2026
New Jersey Statutory Benefits
- Paid Sick Leave: 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours/year.
- Family Leave Act: Up to 12 weeks unpaid for family care.
- Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Leave: Up to 20 days unpaid.
- Emergency Responder Leave: Unpaid during state emergencies.
- Lactation Accommodation: Reasonable accommodations provided.
- Pay Transparency: Salary ranges disclosed in postings (effective June 1, 2025).
Equal Employment Opportunity
Proactive Risk prohibits discrimination based on any protected category under NJ law.
Harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
Whistleblower Protection: Covered under NJ CEPA.
Workplace Conduct
Maintain professionalism and comply with safety/security protocols.
Follow company policies on confidentiality and ethical behavior.
Expense Reimbursement
Reimbursements follow NJ law and GSA Per Diem guidelines with receipts must be submitted within 30 days using Expensify format.
Disclaimer
This handbook summarizes policies and does not create a contract. Policies may change at any time.
Example
W2 Employment Agreement
Proactive Risk Inc. Employment Agreement
Date: [Insert Date]
Employee Name: [Insert Candidate Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
We are pleased to confirm your employment with Proactive Risk Inc. under the following terms:
1. Position & Start Date
2. Compensation
You will receive [Hourly Rate/Annual Salary], payable according to the company’s standard payroll schedule.
3. Work Schedule & Location
Your schedule will be assigned monthly. Work is expected onsite unless a written remote-work arrangement is approved by management.
4. Benefits
You are eligible for company benefits as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
5. Probationary Period (90 Days)
6. At-Will Employment
Employment is at-will; either party may terminate at any time, with or without cause or notice.
7. Company Policies
You agree to comply with all policies in the Employee Handbook.
Reporting Manager: [Manager Name & Title]
8. Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure (NDA)
You agree to protect all Confidential Information, including business plans, client data, proprietary processes, and internal matters.
9. Non-Compete Clause
For 12 months following termination, you agree not to:
10. Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership
All work products, inventions, designs, software, and materials created during your employment that relate to the company’s business are the exclusive property of Proactive Risk Inc.
You agree to:
Acknowledgment
By signing, you confirm you have read and agree to these terms.
Employee Signature: __________________ Date: __________
Employer Signature: __________________ Date: __________
Date: [Insert Date]
Employee Name: [Insert Candidate Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
We are pleased to confirm your employment with Proactive Risk Inc. under the following terms:
1. Position & Start Date
- Job Title: [Job Title]
- Start Date: [Start Date]
2. Compensation
You will receive [Hourly Rate/Annual Salary], payable according to the company’s standard payroll schedule.
3. Work Schedule & Location
Your schedule will be assigned monthly. Work is expected onsite unless a written remote-work arrangement is approved by management.
4. Benefits
You are eligible for company benefits as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
5. Probationary Period (90 Days)
- Either party may terminate employment during probation without notice or cause.
- You will be paid for all hours worked up to termination.
- PTO accrues from your start date but cannot be used until probation ends; accrued PTO will be paid out per state law if employment ends during probation.
- Benefits end on termination date, subject to COBRA rights.
- Completion of probation does not change the at-will nature of employment.
6. At-Will Employment
Employment is at-will; either party may terminate at any time, with or without cause or notice.
7. Company Policies
You agree to comply with all policies in the Employee Handbook.
Reporting Manager: [Manager Name & Title]
8. Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure (NDA)
You agree to protect all Confidential Information, including business plans, client data, proprietary processes, and internal matters.
- During Employment: Do not disclose or misuse confidential information.
- Post-Employment (2 Years): Do not disclose or use confidential information for personal or third-party benefit.
- Exceptions: Reporting legal violations or complying with law.
- Breach may result in legal remedies.
- Governed by New Jersey law.
9. Non-Compete Clause
For 12 months following termination, you agree not to:
- Work for or provide services to any direct competitor of Proactive Risk Inc. within a 50-mile radius of [Company Location].
- Solicit Proactive Risk Inc. clients or employees for competing business.
This clause is subject to applicable state law and does not restrict lawful employment opportunities beyond reasonable limits.
10. Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership
All work products, inventions, designs, software, and materials created during your employment that relate to the company’s business are the exclusive property of Proactive Risk Inc.
You agree to:
- Assign all rights, title, and interest in such IP to the company.
- Cooperate in executing documents necessary to confirm ownership.
Acknowledgment
By signing, you confirm you have read and agree to these terms.
Employee Signature: __________________ Date: __________
Employer Signature: __________________ Date: __________
Example
Independant Consultant Agreement
This Agreement is entered into as of [Date], by and between:
1. Services
Contractor agrees to provide professional services as described in Exhibit A or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Contractor shall determine the method, details, and means of performing the services, subject to the outcome requirements specified by Company.
2. Compensation
Company shall pay Contractor:
3. Term
This Agreement begins on [Start Date] and continues until [End Date or completion of services], unless terminated earlier under Section 8.
4. Independent Contractor Status
Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee, agent, or representative of Company. Contractor is solely responsible for all taxes, insurance, and benefits, including compliance with IRS 1099 requirements. Contractor shall indemnify Company against any claims arising from misclassification.
5. Insurance Requirements
Contractor shall maintain, at its own expense, the following insurance coverage during the term of this Agreement:
6. Confidentiality
Contractor shall not disclose or use any proprietary or confidential information of Company except as necessary to perform services. This obligation survives termination.
7. Intellectual Property
All work product created under this Agreement shall be deemed “work made for hire” and owned exclusively by Company. If not deemed work for hire, Contractor assigns all rights to Company.
8. Termination
Company may terminate this Agreement:
9. Indemnification
Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Company from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from Contractor’s performance of services or failure to comply with this Agreement.
10. Governing Law & Venue
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Jersey.
11. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Signatures:
Authorized Representative, Proactive Risk
Contractor
- Company: Proactive Risk, with its principal place of business at [Address] (“Company”), and
- Contractor: [Contractor Name], with a principal address at [Address] (“Contractor”).
1. Services
Contractor agrees to provide professional services as described in Exhibit A or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. Contractor shall determine the method, details, and means of performing the services, subject to the outcome requirements specified by Company.
2. Compensation
Company shall pay Contractor:
- Option A: Hourly rate of $[Rate] per hour, OR
- Option B: Fixed fee of $[Amount] based on agreed deliverables/outcomes.
3. Term
This Agreement begins on [Start Date] and continues until [End Date or completion of services], unless terminated earlier under Section 8.
4. Independent Contractor Status
Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee, agent, or representative of Company. Contractor is solely responsible for all taxes, insurance, and benefits, including compliance with IRS 1099 requirements. Contractor shall indemnify Company against any claims arising from misclassification.
5. Insurance Requirements
Contractor shall maintain, at its own expense, the following insurance coverage during the term of this Agreement:
- Commercial General Liability (GL): Minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Professional Liability (PL): Minimum $1,000,000 per claim
- Cyber Liability Insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 per claim
6. Confidentiality
Contractor shall not disclose or use any proprietary or confidential information of Company except as necessary to perform services. This obligation survives termination.
7. Intellectual Property
All work product created under this Agreement shall be deemed “work made for hire” and owned exclusively by Company. If not deemed work for hire, Contractor assigns all rights to Company.
8. Termination
Company may terminate this Agreement:
- For Convenience: With 15 days’ written notice.
- For Cause: Immediately upon Contractor’s breach, failure to maintain insurance, or violation of confidentiality obligations.
9. Indemnification
Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Company from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from Contractor’s performance of services or failure to comply with this Agreement.
10. Governing Law & Venue
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Jersey.
11. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Signatures:
Authorized Representative, Proactive Risk
Contractor
