Employee handbooks should be more than just a pile of photocopies you thrust at a new hire. Handbooks provide a common framework for communicating your corporate culture. If used properly, they can protect you legally as well.

What data to keep, where to put it, who sees it and why.

For big-company resources at reasonable prices, call an HR consultant.

A procedures manual for your company protects you from trusting too much in particular employees to operate your business, serves as a guide for new trainees, and provides an emergency recovery plan.

Play fair with single employees if you want them to stick around.

The end of the year could be the right time to transition to outsourced payroll.

Educating employees on sexual harassment issues isn't enough; you're also responsible for customers and vendors. Learn signs to watch for, and how to reduce risk and take action quickly.

Whether you're just starting your business or you're hiring your hundredth employee, having a human resources manager can be a vital step to success. Know what to look for when hiring an HR expert.

Perhaps your time ought to be spent managing your core business instead of managing your employees. A one-time investment in choosing the correct human resources firm could free up loads of time for more lucrative endeavors.

If you want to access employee e-mail and computer usage, make sure you're clear about your rights from the start.