> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.essal.cloud/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Managing Departments {/* category: Employee Management */} Departments group employees for filtering, reporting, and badge display. This article explains how to create and manage your department structure in Settings. Navigate to **Settings** in the sidebar, then click the **Departments** tab. Settings Departments tab showing department list and creation form *** ## Creating a Department 1. In the **Departments** tab, find the **New Department** form. 2. Enter the **Department Name** (e.g. *Engineering*, *Human Resources*, *Operations*). 3. Optionally set a **Parent Department** to create a nested structure. 4. Optionally choose a **Color** — used as a visual accent in the employee list and on badges. 5. Click **Add** (or press Enter) to save. The new department appears immediately in the list and becomes available in the **Department** dropdown on all employee profile forms. > **At least one department** must exist before you can assign employees to departments when adding or editing records. *** ## Nested Departments (Parent / Child Hierarchy) You can create sub-departments by setting a **Parent Department**. This lets you model complex org charts. The full path is shown wherever departments appear — e.g., `Operations > Warehouse > Shipping`. Example hierarchy: * Operations * Logistics * Warehouse * Receiving * Shipping * Facilities **Rules for nesting:** * A department can have only one parent. * You can nest departments as deeply as needed. * A department with sub-departments cannot be deleted until all its sub-departments are removed or re-parented first. *** ## Department Colors Each department can have a color code. The color is used: * As a subtle accent on employee list rows. * On employee badges (if enabled in the template). * In department filter chips. Colors have no effect on access control — they are purely visual. *** ## Editing a Department Click the **Edit** (pencil) icon next to any department in the list to rename it or change its color. The change applies immediately to all employee records assigned to that department. *** ## Deleting a Department Click the **Delete** (trash) icon next to a department. **You cannot delete a department if:** * It has sub-departments — remove or re-parent the sub-departments first. * Employees are currently assigned to it — reassign those employees to another department first. > Renaming a department updates all employee records with the new name automatically. *** ## Assigning Employees to Departments Departments are assigned per employee on the **Profile** tab of the employee modal. Open an employee record, go to the **Profile** tab, and select the department from the **Department** dropdown. For bulk assignment, use the CSV import wizard — include a `Department` column in your spreadsheet. See Importing Employees from CSV. *** ## Filtering Employees by Department The **Employees** list has a **Department** filter in the filter bar. Select a department name to show only employees in that department (and sub-departments).