A human resource of a company or organization is generally an employee, and the department that communicates with employees and manages employee-related issues—including job applications, job interviews, drug tests, employment offers, wages, benefits, paid time off (PTO), unpaid leave, employee reviews, termination of employment, and unemployment insurance claims—is often known as the human resources department, or human resources, or simply HR. An employer’s human resources department may consist of one person in a smaller organization or many persons in a larger organization, and is often headed by a human resources manager or human resources director.

In Connecticut (CT), the human resources (HR) department of a company or organization is responsible for managing a wide range of employee-related functions. These functions include handling job applications, conducting job interviews, administering drug tests, making employment offers, and managing wages, benefits, and paid time off (PTO). HR departments also oversee unpaid leave, conduct employee reviews, and handle the termination of employment. Additionally, they are involved in processing unemployment insurance claims. The size and structure of an HR department can vary, with smaller organizations possibly having a single HR professional, while larger ones may have a team led by an HR manager or director. Connecticut state statutes and federal laws govern various aspects of employment, such as minimum wage, anti-discrimination protections, family and medical leave, and workplace safety, which the HR department must comply with. Employers in Connecticut must also adhere to specific state laws regarding employment practices, such as the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, which prohibits employment discrimination, and the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave Law, which mandates certain employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees.