HR Compliance Checklist: Federal and State Requirements
A comprehensive checklist of federal and state HR compliance requirements for small businesses -- covering hiring, payroll, workplace safety, anti-discrimination, and record-keeping.
Workers' Comp and Unemployment Insurance: What You Must Carry
A plain-English guide to workers' compensation and unemployment insurance requirements for small business owners -- what you must carry, what it costs, and how to manage claims.
Employee Retention: Why People Leave and How to Keep Your Best
Practical retention strategies for small businesses -- addressing the real reasons employees quit and what you can do about each one without a Fortune 500 budget.
Building Workplace Culture When You Have Under 50 People
How to intentionally build a strong workplace culture in a small business -- without the corporate culture playbook that doesn't apply to you.
Firing and Termination: Doing It Right, Legally and Humanely
How to terminate an employee the right way -- covering legal requirements, documentation, the termination conversation, and protecting your business from wrongful termination claims.
Performance Management: Reviews, Feedback, and Accountability
How to run a practical performance management system for a small business -- from setting expectations to giving honest feedback to handling underperformers.
Creating an Employee Handbook That Protects You and Your Team
How to write an employee handbook that sets clear expectations, communicates policies, and provides legal protection -- without sounding like a corporate robot.
Compensation and Benefits: What Small Businesses Can Offer
How to build a competitive compensation package when you can't match corporate salaries -- including pay structures, affordable benefits, and creative perks that actually matter.
Onboarding New Hires: The First 90 Days That Determine Retention
A structured onboarding plan for small businesses that turns new hires into productive, committed team members -- covering paperwork, training, milestones, and check-ins.
Interviewing and Selection: Spotting the Right Fit
A practical framework for interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions -- including legal dos and don'ts, structured interview techniques, and red flags to watch for.
Writing Job Descriptions That Attract the Right People
How to write job postings that bring in qualified candidates instead of wasting your time -- including what to include, what to leave out, and where to post.
Hiring Your First Employee: Legal Requirements and Practical Steps
Everything you need to do before, during, and after hiring your first employee -- from getting an EIN to setting up payroll and staying compliant with federal and state law.
Want More HR & People Insights?
Subscribe to get notified when we publish new guides.
Subscribe to Newsletter