Knowing the steps of progressive discipline is one thing. Knowing what to actually say at each one is another. Here are real examples of what each conversation sounds like, verbal warning through termination.

Most small businesses have a one-sentence anti-discrimination statement. That is not a policy. Here is exactly what a compliant anti-discrimination policy for small business must include.

Everything small business owners need to know about employee handbooks: what to include, legal requirements, common mistakes, and how to roll one out. Free guide from a SHRM-SCP certified HR professional.

Hiring your first employee is one of the most significant steps a small business takes.  Here's what you need to have in place before they start: legally, operationally, and culturally.

Firing someone for the first time is one of the hardest things a small business owner does.  Here's how to prepare, what to say, and how to handle everything that follows.

An employee just reported harassment and you're the closest thing to HR.  Here's exactly what to do (and what not to do) in the first 24 hours and beyond.

When you're the HR department and a new hire starts Monday, here's exactly what you need to do before they arrive, on day one, and through their first 90 days.

If you're the office manager and the HR department, this guide covers the most common employee situations you'll face and how to handle each one correctly.

Discipline and documentation are the two skills most first-time managers are never taught.  Here's the practical foundation you need before you need to use it.

Writing your first employee written warning? Here's what it needs to include, what to avoid, and how to deliver it so it holds up if the situation escalates.

Your first difficult performance conversation as a manager doesn't have to go badly.  Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing, delivering, and following up on performance feedback that actually lands.

Two of your employees are in a conflict.  How you handle it as a manager shapes the outcome for both of them and for your team.  Here’s a practical step-by-step guide.

An employee failed a drug test.  What happens next depends on your policy, your industry, your state’s marijuana laws, and whether the ADA applies.  Here’s how to navigate it.

An employee said they’re going to sue you.  Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.  Here’s the right response when an employee threatens legal action.

Can a former employee sue you for a bad reference? The legal landscape around employment references is nuanced.  Here’s what employers need to know to protect themselves.

When an employee requests a religious accommodation, federal law requires you to engage seriously.  Here's what the obligation means in practice and where the limits are.

Employers generally can monitor company devices and email, but there are important limitations and disclosure requirements.  Here’s what you need to know before setting up monitoring.

When does an employee complaint about a coworker become something you need to formally investigate? Here's how to tell the difference and what to do in each case.

Laying off an employee is different from terminating for cause, and the legal requirements are different too.  Here’s what small business owners need to know before proceeding.

An employee walked out mid-shift without notice.  Is it job abandonment? Do you have to pay them? Can you terminate? Here’s how to handle it step by step.