Even as you begin the search for an employee, you’ll be expected to comply with laws that govern hiring practices. Federal and state regulations vary according to the number of workers you employ and the nature of your business. You’ll need to understand your legal responsibilities before you start the hiring process.

The laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Civil Rights Act, Fair Debt Credit and Reporting Act and others, determine what you can and can’t do in:

• Setting job descriptions and requirements

• Advertising for employees

• Screening and interviewing applicants

• Making a job offer to an applicant

As an employer – even with a single employee – you’ll be held accountable to a tangled web of federal and state laws, such as:

• Wage and hour laws 

• Regulations that govern retirement plans, healthcare benefits and life insurance benefits

• Workplace safety rules

• Regulations about how to write personnel policies and conduct performance reviews

• Rules that determine what you should and shouldn’t put in an employee’s personnel file

• Laws designed to avoid sexual harassment as well as discrimination based on gender, age, race, pregnancy, sexual orientation and national origin

• Regulations about how to terminate an employee without trampling on his or her legal rights

Books and online resources, as well professional advisors, can help you find answers to the legal questions you’ll face as an employer. But the fact remains that you’ll need to devote precious time and energy to keeping up with changes in state and federal employee regulations. It isn’t an easy or pleasant duty. Before you decide to hire, be sure you’re prepared to tackle the task.