Human Resources Management Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards encompassing key terms and definitions from human resources management concepts.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

A term applied to different types of employee complaint or dispute resolution procedures.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

A software application recruiters use to post job openings, screen résumés, contact candidates for interviews, and track hiring costs.

Apprenticeship Training

A system of training in which a worker is given thorough instruction and experience in both practical and theoretical aspects of skilled trades.

Arbitration Award

Final and binding award issued by an arbitrator in a labor-management dispute.

Assessment Centre

A process where individuals are evaluated as they participate in situations resembling job requirements.

Attrition

A natural departure of employees from organizations through quits, retirements, and deaths.

Augmented Skills

Skills helpful in facilitating the efforts of expatriate managers.

Authorization Card

A statement signed by an employee authorizing a union to act as their representative for collective bargaining.

Balanced Scorecard (BSC)

A measurement framework that helps managers translate strategic goals into operational objectives.

Balance-Sheet Approach

A compensation system designed to match the purchasing power in an employee's home country.

Bargaining Power

The power of labor and management to achieve their goals through economic, social, or political influence.

Bargaining Unit

A group of employees who share common employment interests and may be grouped together for collective bargaining.

Bargaining Zone

Area where the union and employer are willing to concede during bargaining negotiations.

Behaviour Modelling

An approach that demonstrates desired behavior and allows trainees to practice and role-play those behaviors.

Behaviour Modification

A technique that rewards behavior to reinforce its exhibition and decreases penalized behavior.

Behaviour Observation Scale (BOS)

A performance appraisal approach that measures the frequency of observed behavior.

Behavioural Description Interview (BDI)

An interview asking applicants about their actions in given situations.

Behaviourally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS)

A performance appraisal method that uses vertical scales for dimensions of job performance.

Benchmarking

The process of comparing the organization's processes and practices to others.

Blended Learning

The use of multiple training methods to optimize learning opportunities for trainees.

Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)

A justifiable reason for discrimination based on business safety or effectiveness.

Bonus

An incentive payment that is supplemental to the base wage.

Branding

A company's efforts to communicate its desirability as a workplace to potential employees.

Burnout

The most severe distress stage, resulting in depression and loss of productivity.

Business Agent

A paid labor official responsible for negotiating and administering the collective agreement.

Calibration

A process where managers discuss employee performance to ensure appraisals are aligned.

Career Counselling

The process of helping employees explore their job activities, skills, and career goals.

Career Networking

Establishing mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals.

Career Paths

Lines of advancement in an occupational field within an organization.

Career Plateau

A situation where the probability of moving up in one's career is low.

Change Management

Systematic methods for managing organizational change.

Chief Ethics Officer

A manager responsible for fostering an ethical work environment.

Chief Learning Officer

A manager responsible for employee learning and development.

Codetermination

Representation of labor on a company's board of directors.

Collaborative Software

Software that allows for electronic worker interactions and information sharing.

Collective Agreement

An employment contract between an employer and a union outlining employment terms.

Collective Bargaining Process

Negotiating a collective agreement, including economic pressure from both parties.

Combined Salary and Commission Plan

A compensation plan that includes both a salary and a commission.

Common Law of Employment

The body of case law that interprets employment contracts.

Compensatory Model

A selection decision model where high scores in one area can offset low scores in another.

Competence-Based Pay

Pay based on an employee's skill level and variety of skills.

Competency Assessment

Analysis of the skills and knowledge required for knowledge-intensive jobs.

Compulsory Binding Arbitration

A method of resolving collective bargaining deadlocks by a neutral third party.

Concentration

Term applied to designated groups highly represented in a particular occupation.

Concurrent Validity

The extent to which test scores match criterion obtained at similar times from employees.

Construct Validity

The degree to which a selection tool measures a theoretical construct.

Constructive Dismissal

When an employer fundamentally breaches a contract, allowing the employee to treat it as a termination.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A measure of average price changes over time for a fixed basket of goods and services.

Content Validity

The extent to which a selection instrument adequately samples knowledge and skills for a job.

Contrast Error

A performance rating error influenced by comparison with another recently evaluated employee.

Contributory Plan

A pension plan where contributions are made by both employees and employers.

Cooperative Training

Training that combines practical experience with formal educational classes.

Core Capabilities

Integrated knowledge sets within an organization that distinguish it from competitors.

Core Skills

Skills critical to an employee's success abroad.

Core Values

Strong, enduring beliefs and principles guiding a company’s decisions.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The firm's responsibility to act in the best interests of affected communities.

Craft Unions

Unions representing skilled craft workers.

Criterion-Related Validity

The extent to which a selection tool predicts key work behavior elements.

Critical Incident

An unusual event that denotes successful or unsuccessful employee performance.

Critical Incident Method

A job analysis method identifying important tasks for job success.

Cross-Training

Training employees to perform multiple jobs within an organization.

Cross-Validation

Verifying validation study results by administering a test to a different sample.

Cultural Audits

Audits of an organization's culture and work life quality.

Cultural Environment

The cultural aspects of a country impacting business operations.

Culture Shock

Perpetual stress experienced by individuals settling overseas.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Injuries caused by repetitive stress and strain on tendons.

Customer Appraisal

Performance appraisal that seeks evaluation from both external and internal customers.

Defined-Benefit Plan

A pension plan specifying the amount to be received at retirement.

Defined-Contribution Plan

A pension plan detailing employer contributions to a pension fund.

Depression

A negative emotional state characterized by low spirits and sadness.

Designated Groups

Women, minorities, Aboriginal people, and disabled persons who face employment disadvantages.

Differential Piece Rate

Compensation for productivity exceeding standard output.

Distress

Harmful stress resulting in feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

Diversity Management

Optimizing a multicultural workforce to reach business objectives.

Downsizing

Planned elimination of jobs.

Eldercare

Care provided to an elderly relative by an employed individual.

E-Learning

Learning that occurs via electronic media.

Emergency Action Plan

A plan containing procedures for dealing with various emergencies.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Services provided to help employees cope with various personal problems.

Employee Associations

Labor organizations representing professional and white-collar employees.

Employee Empowerment

Granting employees power to initiate change in their roles.

Employee Involvement Groups (EIs)

Groups meeting to resolve problems or offer suggestions for improvement.

Employee Leasing

Dismissing employees to be hired by a leasing company handling HR activities.

Employee Profile

A profile developed by studying an organization's top performers.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Plans where organizations contribute stock to an employee trust for stock purchases.

Employee Teams

Work structured for groups with discretion over management prerogatives.

Employment Equity

Fair and nonbiased employment of individuals.

Entrepreneur

An individual who starts and manages a business.

Environmental Scanning

Monitoring external forces influencing the organization.

Ergonomics

Designing systems for efficient human use.

Error of Central Tendency

Rating error where all employees receive average evaluations.

Escalator Clauses

Clauses ensuring cost-of-living adjustments in wages.

Essay Method

A performance appraisal requiring a descriptive statement from the rater.

Ethics

Standards of conduct helping determine right and wrong behavior.

Eustress

Positive stress associated with achievement.

Expatriates

Employees on international assignments from their home country.

Failure Rate

The percentage of expatriates who do not perform satisfactorily.

Fast-Track Program

Encouraging new managers with high potential to advance rapidly.

Final Offer Arbitration

Method of resolving collective bargaining deadlocks by selecting one of the final offers.

Flexible Benefits Plans (Cafeteria Plans)

Benefits plans allowing employees to choose their preferred benefits.