github.com/basecamp/handbook ↗
37signals Employee Handbook
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Contributors
69
Lines of Code
405
From
2017-05-02
To
2023-03-10
About basecamp/handbook
This is the public employee handbook for 37signals, the company behind Basecamp and other software products. The handbook covers core policies and cultural information that employees need to know, organized into sections addressing onboarding, benefits, work practices, career development, company rituals, device management, internal systems, and various employment provisions. It serves as an authoritative reference for what the company expects from staff and what employees can expect in return.
The repository makes the handbook transparent and version-controlled through GitHub, allowing employees to track changes over time and understand how company policies evolve. The handbook includes detailed job title frameworks for different departments including designers, programmers, operations, QA, and support staff, reflecting how the organization structures career progression across roles.
The project is notable for its open approach to company documentation. By hosting the handbook publicly on GitHub rather than keeping it internal, 37signals demonstrates a commitment to transparency about its workplace culture and policies. This approach also allows prospective employees and the broader community to understand the company's values and operational philosophy directly.