{"id":4664,"date":"2020-04-07T07:39:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T12:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/5-employment-law-issues-that-don-t-require-a-lawyer.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T04:35:03","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T09:35:03","slug":"5-employment-law-issues-that-don-t-require-a-lawyer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/5-employment-law-issues-that-don-t-require-a-lawyer.html","title":{"rendered":"5 Employment Law Issues That Don’t Require a Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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5 Employment Law Issues That Don't Require a Lawyer<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The business world has changed in the last few years, and small businesses are still finding ways to cope with the new economy. Gig workers, independent contractors, and remote work have all become commonplace.<\/p>\r\n

But just because a few things have changed doesn’t mean small business owners must upend their entire businesses and start over. Although human resources legal compliance is as important as ever, there are things you can do without calling in the big legal guns. State and federal laws are available online; most issues only need common sense.<\/p>\r\n

Here are five things that will keep your business HR compliant without needing legal advice:<\/p>\r\n

1. Update Your Employment Policy<\/h2>\r\n

If you don’t have an employee handbook<\/a> and HR policy, now is the time to make them. Your policy should include employee benefits, minimum wages, and time off. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website to see which federal labor laws<\/a> apply to your business. Not all laws apply to all small businesses.<\/p>\r\n

Clear HR policies make it easier to bring in new hires, handle overtime and sick leave, and follow federal and state regulations. Your employment policy must obey federal and state laws on:<\/p>\r\n