What this tool does
It walks the mechanics finance leaders actually execute: what an offer letter needs, exempt versus non-exempt classification basics, and the separation steps where state law varies hard: final-pay timing, accrued-PTO payout, and release-agreement timing. It flags what is state-specific so you ask the right question before the meeting.
Who it’s for
Finance leaders who inherited HR mechanics without an HR department: the controller running payroll, the CFO handling a separation, the founder making the first finance hire.
How to use it. Step by step
- Pick the action and the state. The state drives more of the answer than most managers expect.
- Walk the checklist. Documents, timing, and payments, in execution order.
- Note the flags. Same-day final pay and PTO payout rules are the classic tripwires.
- Confirm with employment counsel. The tool tells you which questions to ask; counsel gives the answers that bind.
How to read the result
Red flags are same-day obligations; amber flags vary by state. Neither is legal advice: they are the questions that must be answered before the conversation happens.
Common questions
Is this legal advice? No. Employment law is state-specific and fact-specific. This is a mechanics checklist that surfaces the right questions for your employment counsel.
Which states are covered? The flags cover the rules that most commonly vary: final pay, PTO payout, and release timing, with the strictest states called out. Always verify your state.