Ruth Mayhew

A great Human Resources department helps attract top talent to a business, and advocates for workers once they're there.

Performance-appraisal systems can become a key component of a small business's performance-management program. These systems consist of appraisal forms and instructions for supervisors to use in their annual evaluations of their employees' work.

The decision to include paid time off when calculating overtime pay is up to you -- the law does not require it.

Hourly shift managers and supervisors lead teams of employees, yet their management and control of business functions are limited. In many cases, they work alongside the employees they supervise and, as such, are working supervisors.

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 sets out guidelines and rules that govern working conditions, overtime pay and employee classification. Employee classifications, according to the FLSA, pertain to exempt vs. non-exempt status.