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 Louisiana (LA), as in other states, the human resources (HR) department plays a critical role in managing the employer-employee relationship. This includes handling job applications, conducting interviews, administering drug tests, making employment offers, and managing wages, benefits, and paid time off (PTO). HR also oversees compliance with employment laws regarding unpaid leave, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and conducts employee reviews. In the event of termination, HR is responsible for ensuring that the process is carried out in accordance with state and federal laws, including the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) for layoffs. Additionally, HR manages unemployment insurance claims in line with Louisiana's unemployment insurance laws. The size of the HR department can vary from a single individual in smaller companies to multiple staff members in larger organizations, typically led by an HR manager or director. Louisiana employers must comply with both federal employment laws and state-specific regulations, such as the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law, which prohibits discrimination in employment.