HR Guides & Playbooks
Practical, practitioner-written guides to help HR professionals and business leaders navigate compliance, talent, and workforce strategy.
Featured Guide
The Complete HR Compliance Audit Guide
Step-by-step framework for auditing HR practices against FLSA, I-9, EEO, OSHA, and wage & hour requirements. Used by the Southeast HR teams for self-audits before DOL reviews.
Browse All HR Guides
Filter by topic to find the guide most relevant to your current HR challenge.
18 guides
The Complete HR Compliance Audit Guide
Step-by-step framework for auditing HR practices against federal and state requirements. Covers FLSA, I-9, EEO, OSHA, and wage & hour.
Download Free Guide →
OSHA 300A Annual Summary: What Every Employer Must Know
Deadlines, who must post, how to calculate injury rates, and what triggers OSHA recordkeeping requirements for your business.
Read the Guide →
I-9 Compliance Audit Checklist
How to self-audit your I-9 forms, correct errors, handle reverifications, and prepare for a potential ICE inspection.
Get the Checklist →
Employee Handbook Essentials: What to Include in 2026
A practitioner’s guide to building a legally compliant, enforceable employee handbook – from at-will disclaimers to social media policies.
Explore Handbook Services →
The Recruiting Playbook: From Job Post to First Day
A complete hiring guide covering job descriptions, structured interviews, offer letters, background checks, and onboarding best practices.
Download Playbook →
Background Check Compliance Guide: FCRA, EEOC & State Laws
What employers must do before, during, and after a background check – including adverse action procedures and ban-the-box requirements.
Learn More →
How to Build a 90-Day Onboarding Program That Retains New Hires
Structure your first 90 days to reduce early turnover, accelerate productivity, and build employee loyalty from day one.
Explore Talent Solutions →
Compensation Benchmarking 101: How to Build a Competitive Pay Strategy
Learn how to gather market data, build salary bands, and communicate compensation decisions transparently to attract and retain top talent.
Start Benchmarking →
Payroll Compliance Guide: Multi-State Tax, Garnishments & W-2 Filing
A practical overview of multi-state payroll tax obligations, wage garnishment rules, year-end processing deadlines, and common filing mistakes.
Explore Payroll Services →
FLSA Classification Guide: Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees
How to correctly classify workers as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and avoid costly misclassification liability.
Get Classification Help →
Manager’s Handbook: Conducting Terminations the Right Way
A legally sound guide for HR and managers navigating employee separations – from documentation requirements to final pay obligations.
Get the Handbook →
Building a Performance Improvement Plan That Actually Works
How to write, deliver, and document PIPs that improve performance – and protect the company if termination becomes necessary.
Get PIP Template →
Workplace Investigation Playbook: Harassment, Misconduct & Complaints
Step-by-step guide for conducting fair, defensible workplace investigations – from intake through documentation and resolution.
Explore Investigation Services →FMLA & Leave Management: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR
Navigate the complexity of FMLA, ADA, state leave laws, and intermittent leave with confidence. Includes tracking templates and communication scripts.
Explore Leave Solutions →Open Enrollment Planning Guide: 2026 Benefits Season Checklist
Everything HR needs to plan and execute a smooth open enrollment – timelines, employee communication scripts, and common mistakes to avoid.
Get Benefits Help →The Remote Work Policy Toolkit
Everything HR needs to create enforceable, legally compliant remote work policies: eligibility criteria, equipment, expense reimbursement, and monitoring.
Get the Toolkit →HR Outsourcing Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in an HR Partner
How to evaluate HR outsourcing providers, compare service models (PEO vs. HRO vs. fractional), and build a business case for leadership.
Compare HR Models →DEI in Practice: Building Inclusive Workplaces Beyond the Policy
Move from policy to practice with this guide on inclusive hiring, equitable pay review, manager training, and culture measurement.
Explore DEI Resources →Written by Certified HR Practitioners
Compliance-First
Every guide is reviewed for alignment with current federal and Southeast state employment law before publication.
Built from Real Cases
Our content comes from actual client situations, compliance audits, and workforce decisions — not generic HR textbooks.
Always Free
All guides are free with no email gate. We believe good HR information should be accessible to every employer.
Need More Than a Guide?
Our HR practitioners are available for one-on-one consultations, compliance audits, and hands-on HR projects. No long-term commitment required.