You have the business plan. You have the LLC. You even have the logo. But now, you are ready to hire your first employee, and suddenly, the excitement turns into anxiety. Do I need a handbook? What taxes do I register for? Can I just pay them as a contractor? Ignoring HR in the startup phase is common, but it’s also dangerous. One missing form or one misclassified employee can lead to fines that sink a small business before it even learns to swim. The "Day One" HR Checklist: