HR Policy Templates for Small Businesses: The 8 Policies You Actually Need

Most small business HR lawsuits come from one of three situations: an employee claims they didn't know a rule, a manager applied a policy inconsistently, or a termination happened without documentation. Written HR policies solve all three.

The 8 HR Policies Every Small Business Needs

• PTO and Vacation Policy — document exactly how PTO accrues, when it can be used, and what happens to unused PTO
• Sick Leave Policy — many states require paid sick leave; document accrual, how to request it, and documentation requirements
• Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy — required in all states; include reporting process and non-retaliation commitment
• Remote Work Policy — if any employee ever works from home, you need this in writing
• Social Media Policy — define what's acceptable when employees post about your business
• Progressive Discipline Policy — verbal warning, written warning, final warning, termination
• Expense Reimbursement Policy — what expenses are covered and how quickly reimbursements are processed
• Confidentiality Policy — protect your customer lists, pricing, processes, and business information

How to Write These Policies Without a Lawyer

For most small businesses with under 20 employees, you don't need an attorney for basic HR policies. HR consultants charge $300–$800 per policy document. Processly generates any HR policy for your specific industry in under 60 seconds.