Practical HR Resources for the People Side of Business
Free tools and guidance designed to help small-business leaders strengthen everyday HR processes and take the next practical step.
START HERE
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Small Business HR Quick Check
A practical review of key HR areas to help identify where your processes may need attention.
HIRING
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Before You Post the Job
Work through important questions to consider before advertising your next position.
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Candidate Comparison Scorecard
Compare candidates consistently using the same job-related criteria, rating guide, and evidence notes.
ONBOARDING
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New Hire Ready
Prepare onboarding paperwork, processes, manager readiness, workplace setup, and the overall foundation for a strong start. Pair it with The First 30 Days for manager follow-through.
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The First 30 Days
Give managers a step-by-step first-month checklist covering preparation, Day 1, Week 1, Weeks 2–3, and the Day 30 check-in. Pair it with New Hire Ready for onboarding preparation.
PAYROLL COORDINATION
Resources in this section support payroll preparation, documentation, updates, and provider coordination. ThriveWell does not process payroll.
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Are You Payroll Ready?
Review workforce changes, time, approvals, and follow-up before and after payroll is submitted.
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Employee Change Tracker
Organize employee changes, approvals, effective dates, system updates, and follow-through in one practical record.
HR OPERATIONS
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Vendor Match Worksheet
Compare HR-related vendors against your business needs, required features, service expectations, and decision criteria.
Go Deeper in Your HR Journey
Authored resource
The HR Leader’s Field Journal: From Preparation to Leadership
By Shericeia Abernathy, SHRM-CP
A practical companion for HR professionals who want space to reflect, apply what they’re learning, and continue developing from preparation into leadership.
View the Field Journal ↗Trusted HR Resources
Sometimes the best next step is knowing where to find reliable information. These resources can help small businesses stay informed about important workplace requirements, employment practices, and HR responsibilities.
U.S. Department of Labor
Find employer guidance on wages, hours, leave, workplace posters, and other federal labor responsibilities.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Review small-business guidance on workplace discrimination, accommodations, employment decisions, and required notices.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Access safety and health guidance, compliance assistance, consultation options, and tools for small businesses.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Find Form I-9 instructions, employment-eligibility guidance, handbooks, and related employer resources.
Internal Revenue Service
Access employer and small-business tax information, employment-tax guidance, forms, and filing resources.
Alabama Department of Labor
Find Alabama employer information on unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, wage data, and workforce services.
External resources are provided for informational purposes. ThriveWell HR Consulting does not control external websites or guarantee that their content is complete or current.
HR Updates That Matter
Stay informed about workplace changes that may affect your business. ThriveWell reviews information from trusted sources and explains what small-business leaders may want to know.
HIRING RECORDS • ACTIVE REQUIREMENT
Confirm Your Electronic Form I-9 Uses the Current Expiration Date
What Changed: USCIS released a revised Form I-9 dated 01/20/25. Employers using electronic Form I-9 systems were required to update the displayed expiration date to 05/31/2027 by July 31, 2026.
Who It Affects: Employers and HR or payroll vendors that create or store Form I-9 electronically.
Why It Matters: Using the current form information helps keep hiring records consistent with USCIS requirements.
What Businesses May Want to Review: Electronic I-9 templates, onboarding systems, vendor settings, and staff instructions.
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Minor Changes to Form I-9 and E-Verify Updates ↗
Source date: April 2, 2025 • Electronic-system deadline: July 31, 2026 • Reviewed by ThriveWell: September 28, 2026
BENEFITS & PAYROLL • EFFECTIVE FOR 2026
2026 Workplace Retirement Plan Contribution Limits Increased
What Changed: The employee contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most governmental 457 plans increased to $24,500 for 2026. The general age-50-and-older catch-up limit increased to $8,000; a higher $11,250 catch-up limit applies for eligible participants ages 60–63.
Who It Affects: Employers sponsoring affected retirement plans, participating employees, payroll teams, and plan administrators.
Why It Matters: Payroll and benefits systems need accurate annual limits, and employees may need updated enrollment information.
What Businesses May Want to Review: Payroll limits, benefit communications, plan-vendor settings, and year-end testing procedures.
Source: Internal Revenue Service — 2026 Retirement Contribution Limits ↗
Source date: November 13, 2025 • Effective period: 2026 tax year • Reviewed by ThriveWell: September 28, 2026
ALABAMA EMPLOYER BENEFITS • ACTIVE PROGRAM
Alabama Employer Childcare Tax Credit Is Available for 2026
What Changed: Alabama’s employer childcare tax credit is available for qualifying employer expenses through 2027. Reservations for the 2026 tax year opened January 5, 2026, and the 2026 statewide credit cap is $17.5 million.
Who It Affects: Qualifying Alabama employers that pay, reimburse, reserve, or otherwise support eligible childcare expenses for employees.
Why It Matters: Eligible childcare support may qualify for a state tax credit, but employers must reserve the credit and document eligible expenses.
What Businesses May Want to Review: Eligibility, childcare-facility requirements, employee agreements, expense records, reservation procedures, and the March 1 claim deadline after the tax year.
Source: Alabama Department of Revenue — Employer Tax Credit ↗
Program period: January 1, 2025–December 31, 2027 • 2026 reservations opened: January 5, 2026 • Reviewed by ThriveWell: September 28, 2026
These updates provide general educational information and are not legal or tax advice. Requirements can depend on the facts of a business or workplace situation. Review the linked government source and consult an appropriate professional when needed.
Don’t Just Download It. Use It.
Choose one resource, identify one improvement, and put one practical change into action. Small, consistent steps can strengthen the way you support your people and your business.
Need Help With What You Found?
If a resource helps you spot a gap or raises a new question, Ask ThriveWell can help you identify a practical next step.