No two human resources (HR) departments are exactly the same. They range from the single personnel administrator in a small company who is responsible for handling all tasks to the cadre of specialists in a Fortune 500 company. Functions range from those that are primarily service oriented and administrative in nature to those in which the HR professional is an integral part of the management team involved in all major decisions affecting the business. In a climate marked by continued legislative and regulatory change and a demanding competitive business arena, HR professionals must keep their companies in compliance, develop viable employment policies and practices, and keep up to date with emerging trends.