This paper investigates the extent to which HRM differs between female- and male-led businesses. A Control-Commitment Continuum consisting of several HRM dimensions is proposed. To test to what extent HRM systems and specific practices in female- and male-led businesses differ with respect to commitment-orientation, use is made of a panel of approximately 2,000 Dutch entrepreneurs. Contrary to what is generally believed, we find that HRM in female-led firms is more control-oriented than in male-led firms.