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 Maryland, the human resources (HR) department of a company is responsible for managing a wide range of employee-related issues. This includes overseeing the hiring process, which encompasses job applications, interviews, and drug testing; handling employment offers and contracts; and managing compensation, which covers wages and benefits. HR also administers paid time off (PTO), unpaid leave, and conducts employee performance reviews. In the event of termination of employment, HR is involved in the process and may also assist with unemployment insurance claims. The size of an HR department can vary from a single individual in smaller organizations to multiple staff members in larger ones, typically led by an HR manager or director. Maryland state statutes and federal laws regulate many aspects of HR activities, including but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for wages and hours, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for leave issues, and the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act for sick leave. Additionally, Maryland law requires employers to comply with nondiscrimination statutes and provides guidelines for unemployment insurance through the Maryland Department of Labor.