Laws which you are now required to follow

No new laws apply.  However, make sure that the organization fully understands and implements all laws which are applicable for one employee.

Topics to think about as you keep growing

2/3: Networking.  When people are looking for jobs, they often "network" with everyone they know.   Business owners should go through the same process -- tell everyone you know that you are hiring, and see what feedback you get.  Early in a business, it is critical that the right people join the firm.  Getting a pre-qualification from people you know on potential hires can be very helpful .  Besides, this recruitment tool is one of the few that is virtually free.  A good overview on Business Networking can be found at:  http://www.bgateway.com/sustainability.asp?pageId=2.2.1.4

4/5: Wage statistics.  One of the major factors that people consider when applying for a new job is compensation.   (Though, interestingly, it is not a top determinant why people leave a job.)   There is plenty of free salary information on the internet that organizations can use as guidance, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm, the Vermont Department of Employment and Training http://www.vtlmi.info/occupation.cfm, and the Salary Wizard® at Salary.com http://www.salary.com.

6/7: "Google" employment laws.  Most businesses this size do not have a human resources person, and do not have the funds available to contact professional HR consultants whenever they have an employment-related question.  Using a search engine can be very useful for small organizations to get free information and advice, but make sure that the information you find is consistent across several websites -- not everything on the web is 100% accurate.  http://www.google.com

8/9:  Employee handbook.  Though it need not approach the thickness of a Fortune 500 company, it is important that you create an employee handbook to spell out the rules of what is and is not acceptable within the organization.  A handbook also clarifies compensation, benefits, and more.  Most importantly, it can provide a legal defense if you are sued by an employee.  However, be wary of blindly copying material from the internet, as some employment laws vary from state to state.  Check out what the Small Business Administration has to offer at:  http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Business-Development/Success-Series/Vol10/handbook.txt

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