HR Operations Binder

The HR Operations Binder gives you the starter HR system a seasoned HR manager would build in their first week. Eleven editable tools (eight Word documents and three Excel trackers) follow the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding through employee records, PTO and leave, employee changes, and offboarding. Everything is ready to personalize and use, with no HR software to buy.

Eleven tools organized by the employee lifecycle

Start with the Start Here Guide, then follow the remaining files from hiring through offboarding.

• Start Here Guide and Index and Contents. See what is included, how the files fit together, and where to find each one. Includes a fifteen-minute setup.
• Hiring and Offer Pack and Candidate Tracker. Use the hiring checklist, job description template, and offer letter template from role approval through a signed offer. Track candidates in Excel throughout the hiring process.
• Onboarding and New Hire Pack. A repeatable first-week onboarding process for every new hire.
• Employee Records System. An Excel system for maintaining a complete, organized file for each person while keeping the right records separate.
• PTO and Leave Tracker and PTO Request Form. An accrual and balance tracker, a leave log, and a request form for time off. Attendance point tracking is a separate product, the Attendance Point System Tracker.
• Employee Change Forms. A clear paper trail for pay, role, schedule, and status changes.
• Manager Documentation and Scripts. Scripts and documentation forms for keeping performance and conduct records fact-based.
• Offboarding Pack. A checklist for closing employee files when someone resigns or is let go.

Set up your binder in about fifteen minutes

Personalize once, list your people, then start a file for the first one or two.

• Personalize with Find and Replace. Update the company name, state, owner, and contact email in one pass per file instead of entering them repeatedly.
• Build your roster and employee files. Add everyone to the master roster, then use the provided file structure to set up records for your first one or two people and bring in their existing paperwork.
• Keep a master copy. Save the original templates, work from copies, and bookmark the sections you use most.

Who this is for and other options

Built for

• A small business owner hiring employee number two, three, or four who wants a consistent way to manage HR.
• An office manager or operator handling HR alongside other business responsibilities.
• A first-time HR administrator who wants a credible starting point and an organized approach from day one.

If you are looking for

• For an employee handbook and foundation policies, see the HR Policy Starter Pack.
• For a deeper manager playbook, scripts, and a one-on-one system, see the People Manager Toolkit.

Before you buy

What format is it and can I edit it?

You receive eleven editable Word documents and Excel trackers, with each file numbered. The download contains 22 files: the eleven editable tools, PDF copies of seven of the documents, a Start Here, a one-page Quick Reference, the product license, and a short guide to using the trackers in Google Sheets. All eleven tools are editable, with no HR software or account required.

Is this a subscription?

No. It is a one-time purchase with nothing to renew. Review date-sensitive details each year, especially retention periods and state-specific requirements, as employment rules change.

Is this enough if I already have an HR platform?

The binder is built for companies managing HR through an inbox, sticky notes, and memory. If you already have a full HR team and an HR platform, you likely have these processes covered.

What is the refund policy?

Digital products are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. To request a refund, email support@truestephr.com or reply to your receipt within 30 days of purchase.

What happens after I buy?

Your download link appears immediately after checkout, and your email receipt includes the same link. Open the Start Here Guide first to set up the binder in about fifteen minutes. For questions or setup help, email support@truestephr.com.

How the download works

Your files arrive as a single ZIP download, best opened on a computer. Save it, extract it (right-click and select Extract All on Windows, or double-click on a Mac), then open the Start Here file first. PDFs open in any reader, and editable files work in Microsoft Word and Excel or free equivalents, including LibreOffice, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. No other software is needed. Step-by-step help for every device is at truestephr.com/pages/download-help.

Scope

These working tools and editable templates help you run a clear, consistent, and defensible HR process. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time, so adapt each template to the facts of your situation to avoid unintended legal exposure. Have qualified counsel review your policies, notices, and individual decisions against applicable law before you act. General HR information, not legal advice.