Free HR guides for US employers
Plain guides to the HR questions small businesses ask most. Every guide links each rule to its official source, so you can check it yourself.
Important: please read
MadyHR.ai is not a law firm and these guides are not legal or tax advice. Federal, state and local rules change and differ by location. Always check the official source, and speak to an employment lawyer or tax professional before making decisions. Sources checked October 14, 2026. Resources disclaimer
Employment laws by state
Eight topics for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., each rule linked to its official source.
- All state employment lawsPick your state and see all eight topics.Choose your state
- Final paycheck laws by stateOpen the guide
- Paid sick leave laws by stateOpen the guide
- Meal and rest breaks laws by stateOpen the guide
- Overtime laws by stateOpen the guide
- Pay frequency laws by stateOpen the guide
- Vacation and PTO payout laws by stateOpen the guide
- New hire reporting laws by stateOpen the guide
- At-will employment exceptions laws by stateOpen the guide
Guides on the way
We’re writing these now. Until each one is ready, the official source is the best place to start.
- Coming soon · Hiring
Hiring your first employee in the US
The forms, registrations and records a new employer usually needs.
Official source: IRS: Hiring employees (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Hiring
Employee or independent contractor?
How to think about worker classification, and why it matters.
Official source: IRS: Contractor or employee? (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Hiring
Form I-9 basics
What employment eligibility verification involves for employers.
Official source: USCIS: Form I-9 (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Pay
Overtime basics
What the federal overtime rules cover, and when state rules may differ.
Official source: US DOL: Overtime pay (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Pay
Exempt vs. non-exempt employees
What the terms mean and how the federal exemptions work.
Official source: US DOL Fact Sheet 17A (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Pay
Minimum wage: federal and state
Why the rate you must pay can depend on your state or city.
Official source: US DOL: State minimum wage laws (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Time off
Writing a simple PTO policy
The decisions to make before you put a time-off policy in your handbook.
Official source: US DOL: Vacation leave (opens in a new tab) - Coming soon · Time off
Family and medical leave (FMLA)
Which employers it applies to and what it requires.
Official source: US DOL: FMLA (opens in a new tab)