Small-business owners don't know what they don't know about employment law. And that's a problem. The majority of businesses in the United States are small businesses; they make up 99.3 percent of all firms, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Of those, 36 to 53 percent are sued each year because they unknowingly violate employment law.

HR compliance and employment law expert Diane Faulkner has witnessed many glaring mistakes by well-meaning small-business owners. She has seen how simple things like providing comp time rather than paying overtime or telling employees they can't talk about their wages can get an owner sued, not only by individuals, but by local, state, and federal government agencies. It's sad and oh-so-avoidable. In this handy guide, as a small business owner, you will learn where you can risk running afoul of the most commonly broken laws and how easily – and even innocently – this often happens. Then, learn what each law actually says and what your responsibilities are so you can avoid the legal landmines that lie ahead.