Handle a people situation step by step, in your state
The steps, the document and your state's rules for the people problem in front of you, each rule with its official source. Free, for owners and managers without HR.
Choosing a state opens its rulebook. Or browse all 50 states and DC.
Start with your situationGeneral information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.
Start with the situation
Most performance and conduct problems follow the same order: a warning, then a plan, then, if nothing changes, a termination. Each page has the steps, what to say, common mistakes and the documents.
- How to write up an employee (the right way, in your state)Steps, what to say, verbal warning log, written warningStep 1
- How to put an employee on a performance improvement planSteps, what to say, performance improvement plan, written warningStep 2
- How to fire an employee in your stateSteps, what to say, termination letter, employee offboarding checklistStep 3
- An employee resigned: what to do nextSteps, what to say, resignation acceptance letter, exit interview form, employee offboarding checklist
- Employee no call, no show: what to doSteps, what to say, attendance policy, job abandonment letter
- How to hire your first employeeSteps, what to say, job offer letter, new hire paperwork checklist, employee onboarding checklist
Free templates
Fill them in here and download a .docx or .pdf. Nothing you type is sent to us or stored.
Discipline
Separation
Hiring
Policies
State laws
Each rule appears only after it matches official sources, with the law cited and the date it was checked. Where a rule is not verified for a state, the page says so and links to where you can check.
One rule, every state
- Final paycheck laws by state
- Meal and rest break laws by state
- Minimum wage by state
- Paid sick leave laws by state
- PTO payout laws by state
- At-will employment by state
- Pay frequency (payday) laws by state
Calculators
Data
For developers and AI agents
The verified rules, the templates and the situations are also published as free static JSON files, with the official source and the verification date on every record. No key and no sign-up; attribution required.
How the Desk works
- State rules with sources. A rule is quoted word for word from an official source, checked against a second official source where one exists, and shows the date it was checked. Rules are checked again after 150 days and removed at 180 days if they have not been.
- Documents stay on your device. The templates are filled in and generated in your browser. We do not receive or store what you type.
- Free, self-help templates. They are starting points in neutral language, not documents prepared for your case. For a situation with legal risk, talk to an employment lawyer.
Sources (4)
Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error