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 Virginia, as in other states, the human resources (HR) department plays a crucial role in managing the employer-employee relationship. This includes overseeing the hiring process, from job postings and interviews to drug testing and extending job offers. HR is also responsible for managing compensation and benefits, such as setting wages, administering benefits, and coordinating paid time off (PTO) and unpaid leave. Employee performance reviews and the termination process, including layoffs and firings, are also under the purview of HR. Additionally, HR handles unemployment insurance claims, ensuring compliance with both state and federal regulations. The size and structure of an HR department can vary widely depending on the size of the organization, with larger companies typically having more specialized HR staff. In Virginia, HR practices are subject to state labor laws as well as federal regulations, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).