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 Tennessee, 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. HR is also responsible for extending employment offers and handling the administration of wages, benefits, and paid time off (PTO). Additionally, HR departments manage unpaid leave in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other relevant state laws. Employee performance reviews and the termination process, including layoffs and discharges, fall under HR's purview. When an employment relationship ends, HR typically handles the process and may deal with unemployment insurance claims, ensuring compliance with Tennessee's Employment Security Law. The size of an HR department can vary from a single individual in small companies to multiple staff members in larger organizations, often led by an HR manager or director. Tennessee employers must comply with both federal and state employment laws, including the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act, which prohibit discrimination in the workplace.