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 North Dakota, as in 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 departments also handle unpaid leave, employee reviews, termination of employment, and 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. North Dakota state statutes and federal laws govern various aspects of employment, such as minimum wage, discrimination, and workplace safety, which the HR department must comply with. For instance, the North Dakota Century Code contains provisions on employment practices, and federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) set nationwide standards for wages and leave that HR must adhere to.