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 South Carolina, as in other states, the human resources (HR) department plays a crucial 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 also handles 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. South Carolina state statutes and federal laws, such as the South Carolina Payment of Wages Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), govern various aspects of employment and HR practices. Employers must comply with these regulations, which cover minimum wage requirements, overtime, non-discrimination, and workplace safety, among other employment-related matters.