Human Resource Management and Labor Relations

Key vocabulary terms and definitions covering human resource management, recruitment, selection, employee training, compensation, and labor relations.

affirmative action programs

Programs established by organizations to expand job opportunities for women and minorities.

agency shop

Workers don't have to join a union but must pay union dues.

apprenticeship

A form of on-the-job training that combines specific job instruction with classroom instruction.

arbitration

Settling labor-management disputes through a third party. The decision is final and binding.

collective bargaining

Negotiating a labor agreement.

competitive advantage

A set of unique features of an organization that are perceived by customers and potential customers as significant and superior to the competition.

conciliation

Negotiation process in which a specialist in labor-management negotiations acts as a go-between for management and the unions and helps focus on the problems.

contingent worker

Person who prefers temporary employment, either part-time or full-time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Processes discrimination complaints, issues regulations regarding discrimination, and disseminates information.

federation

A collection of unions banded together to achieve common goals.

grievance

A formal complaint by a union worker that management has violated the contract.

human resource (HR) management

The process of hiring, developing, motivating, and evaluating employees to achieve organizational goals.

human resource planning

Creating a strategy for meeting current and future human resource needs.

incentive pay

Additional pay for attaining a specific goal.

job analysis

A study of the tasks required to do a particular job well.

job description

The tasks and responsibilities of a job.

job fair

An event, typically one or two days, held at a convention center to bring together job seekers and firms that are searching for employees.

job rotation

Reassignment of workers to several different jobs over time so that they can learn the basics of each job.

job specification

A list of the skills, knowledge, and abilities a person must have to fill a job.

labor union

An organization that represents workers in dealing with management.

local union

Branch of a national union that represents workers in a specific plant or geographic area.

management rights clause

Clause in a labor agreement that gives management the right to manage the business except as specified in the contract.

protected classes

The specific groups who have legal protection against employment discrimination; include women, African-Americans, Native Americans, and others.

recruitment

An attempt to find and attract qualified applicants in the external labor market.

recruitment branding

Presenting an accurate and positive image of the firm to those being recruited.

right-to-work law

State laws that an employee does not have to join a union.

selection

The process of determining which persons in the applicant pool possess the qualifications necessary to be successful on the job.

selection interview

An in-depth discussion of an applicant's work experience, skills and abilities, education, and career interests.

selective strike strategy

Strike at a critical plant that typically stops operations system-wide.

shop steward

An elected union official that represents union members to management when workers have complaints.

simulation

A scaled-down version or mock-up of equipment, processes, or a work environment.

succession planning

Examination of current employees to identify people who can fill vacancies and be promoted.

training and development

Activities that provide learning situations in which an employee acquires additional knowledge or skills to increase job performance.

unemployment compensation

Government payment to unemployed former workers.

union shop

Nonunion workers can be hired but must join the union later.

worker's compensation

Pay for lost work time due to employment-related injuries.