What is HR compliance?

Last updated: 2025-08-01

HR compliance means aligning company HR processes and policies with applicable labor laws together with industry-specific regulations. It covers all procedures, policies, HR agendas, employee contracts and agreements. 

  • building policies and procedures that ensure your organization follows up-to-date labor and employment laws and regulations.
  • enforcing the procedures to ensure all employees follow them 
  • HR compliance is essential to every company because employer's need to meet legal responsibilities. Non-compliance leads to fines, penalties, and lawsuits

What are the Main Pillars of HR Compliance?

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

  • Following labor laws and workplace regulations at the federal, state, and local levels
  • Companies must comply with specific agency rules, such as OSHA for health and safety
  • Employers need to stay updated on regulations that apply nationwide as well as in their specific state and city

Contractual Compliance

  • Adhering to agreements and obligations outlined in contracts your business is part of
  • This includes contracts with employees, vendors, or partner organizations

Employee Compliance

Data Privacy Compliance

  • HR systems must comply with data privacy laws and securely protect employee information
  • Protecting employee data according to laws like GDPR and HIPAA

Union Compliance

  • Some businesses work with unionized employees
  • Companies must understand and follow the rules and agreements set by these unions