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 Delaware, as in many other states, the human resources (HR) department plays a critical role in managing the employer-employee relationship. This includes overseeing job applications, conducting job interviews, administering drug tests, making employment offers, and managing wages, benefits, and paid time off (PTO). HR is also responsible for handling unpaid leave, conducting employee reviews, overseeing termination of employment, and processing unemployment insurance claims. The size of an HR department can vary from a single individual in small companies to multiple staff members in larger organizations, typically led by an HR manager or director. Delaware state statutes and federal laws, such as the Delaware Discrimination in Employment Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), guide HR practices to ensure compliance with employment standards and non-discrimination policies. Additionally, HR departments must adhere to wage and hour laws as outlined in the Delaware Minimum Wage Act and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).