PRACTICAL HR GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Have an HR Question? Start Here.
Running a business comes with HR questions you don't always see coming. An employee files a complaint. Someone stops showing up. Payroll doesn't look right. You're hiring in another state. A manager wants to terminate someone.
HR Answers gives you practical guidance to help you understand what to consider, what to do next and when it may be time to get HR help.
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What do you need help with?
Or browse HR Answers by topic ↓
HR Answers provides general educational information and is not legal advice.
Can I terminate an employee for this?
My employee moved to another state. Now what?
What if an employee files a complaint?
How should we document performance problems?
Do I need an employee handbook?
Browse HR Answers by Topic
FIND THE ANSWER YOU NEED
Start with the situation you're dealing with. You don't need to know the HR terminology to find the right place to begin.
Employee Problems
Complaints, attendance, conflict, discipline and difficult employee situations.
Hiring & Onboarding
Hiring decisions, offer letters, new-hire paperwork and getting employees started correctly.
Managing Employees
Performance, documentation, manager responsibilities and everyday people-management questions.
Payroll & Pay
Payroll problems, pay practices, timekeeping and employee pay questions.
Compliance
Workplace requirements, employer obligations and common HR compliance questions.
Multi-State Employees
Employees working across state lines, remote employees and multi-state employer responsibilities.
Policies & Handbooks
Employee handbooks, workplace policies and when policies need to change.
Ending Employment
Terminations, resignations, layoffs, final pay and offboarding.
POPULAR HR QUESTIONS
Answers to Questions Business Owners Actually Ask.
You don't need to speak HR to find useful guidance. Start with one of the questions below or search HR Answers for the situation you're dealing with.
ENDING EMPLOYMENT
Can I Fire an Employee for Poor Performance?
What to consider before making the decision—and why documentation matters.
EMPLOYEE PROBLEMS
What Should I Do When an Employee Files a Complaint?
The first steps to take when an employee raises a workplace concern.
POLICIES & HANDBOOKS
Do I Really Need an Employee Handbook?
When a handbook becomes important and what growing employers should consider including.
MULTI-STATE EMPLOYEES
What Happens When an Employee Moves to Another State?
Why a remote employee's move can create payroll, tax, compliance and policy considerations.
COMPLIANCE
Employee or Independent Contractor: What's the Difference?
Why worker classification matters and what employers should consider before using a 1099 arrangement.
MANAGING EMPLOYEES
What Should I Do When an Employee Stops Showing Up for Work?
How to approach a no-call/no-show without jumping too quickly to termination.
Some HR Questions Need a Conversation.
WHEN THE SITUATION NEEDS MORE THAN AN ARTICLE
HR Answers can help you understand the issue and what to consider next. But employee situations aren't always straightforward. The facts, your policies, past practices, state requirements and how you've handled similar situations can all affect what happens next.
An HR Answer May Be Enough When...
You're learning about an HR topic.
You want to understand a process before taking action.
You're planning ahead rather than responding to an immediate problem.
You need a starting point for a policy, process or workplace decision.
You're dealing with an issue you've never handled before.
Talk With an HR Professional When...
An employee has filed a complaint or allegation.
You're considering termination or serious disciplinary action.
Leave, disability or accommodation issues are involved.
The situation could create legal or compliance risk.
Something about the situation simply doesn't feel straightforward.
HR Guidance Written for the Person Who Has to Make the Decision.
HR information can be technically correct and still leave you wondering what to do next. HR Answers is designed to make workplace questions easier to understand—and the next step easier to see.
PRACTICAL. CLEAR. USEFUL.
Plain Language
HR Without the HR Jargon
We explain the issue in language business owners and managers can actually use—not technical terminology you have to translate first.
Practical Next Steps
Understand What to Consider Next
Whenever possible, we go beyond explaining the rule or concept and help you understand the questions to ask, information to gather and steps to consider.
Know When to Get Help
Clear About Where General Guidance Ends
Some HR situations depend heavily on the facts, your location, your policies or the employees involved. We'll tell you when an issue deserves individualized HR or legal guidance rather than pretending an article can answer everything.