Audience: This book is for anyone who hires or manages workers, whether employees or independent contractors. The audience includes: private employers, particularly small business owners HR professionals, and managers and supervisors. What is new in this Edition: This book is a solid Nolo seller bought by business owners and managers of all sizes. It's used both as an essential desk reference and in professional development training and classes. This guide has been praised in major news outlets, from the Los Angeles Times ("Belongs on every business owner's bookshelf") to the Wall Street Journal ("Offers a sensible, real life approach to dealing with employees.") It explains the workplace laws that apply to each stage of the employment relationship, including hiring, providing benefits, handling payroll, conducting layoffs, and much more. The 15th edition is completely updated to cover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workplace, including new state and federal laws and best practices for employers. The book also explains recent changes to family and medical leave laws, discrimination laws (including the Supreme Court's recent decision banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity), laws dealing with independent contractor status, and more.