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 Florida, as in other states, the human resources (HR) department plays a critical role in managing the employer-employee relationship. This includes overseeing the hiring process, which encompasses job postings, interviews, and drug tests, often regulated by both federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination and privacy rights. Employment offers and contracts are subject to Florida's employment laws and must comply with wage and hour regulations, including minimum wage requirements. Benefits and paid time off (PTO) are typically outlined in company policies, and while Florida law does not require private employers to provide PTO, if they do, they must adhere to their established policies. Unpaid leave may be regulated under federal laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which applies to eligible employees. Performance reviews and termination of employment must be conducted in accordance with anti-discrimination laws and any contractual obligations. Lastly, HR departments handle unemployment insurance claims, which are governed by Florida's Reemployment Assistance Program, providing temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own.