Higher Business - HR Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Human Resource Management key terms, recruitment and selection processes, training methods, leadership styles, appraisal systems, flexible working practices, employee relations, industrial actions, and employment legislation.

Role of Human Resources Department

To ensure the organisation has the personnel it needs, train staff, motivate employees, ensure positive employee relations, and comply with current employment legislation.

Workforce Planning

Deciding how many and what types of workers are required and when.

Recruitment

The process of generating potential employees to apply for a particular job in an organisation.

Internal Recruitment

Recruiting staff from within the organisation, for example through a staff noticeboard, intranet, internal email, or company newsletter.

External Recruitment

Recruiting staff from outside the organisation, such as through job centres, newspaper adverts, websites, or recruitment agencies.

Recruitment Agencies

Specialist organisations that have expertise in recruiting and selecting the best staff for other organisations.

Selection

The process of choosing the correct person from the pool of applicants that have applied for the job.

Application Form

A document produced by the employer consisting of questions that applicants answer to provide details of their skills, experience, and qualities.

CV

A two-page document listing a person's work experience, qualifications, and personal experiences.

Interview

A selection method designed to compare an applicant's responses to questions against set criteria, conducted one-to-one, successively, or with a panel.

Attainment Test

A test where an applicant must demonstrate specific practical skills, such as ICT skills.

Aptitude Test

A test that assesses whether a candidate possesses the natural abilities and personal skills required for a job.

Psychometric Test

A test that assesses an applicant's personality and mental suitability for a job, offering insight into their thinking and organizational fit.

Intelligence / IQ Test

A test that measures a candidate's mental ability, typically used for jobs requiring problem solving.

Medical Test

A test designed to measure physical fitness levels of an applicant.

Assessment Centres

Venues used to evaluate a large number of applicants simultaneously through team building tasks, role play exercises, and tests.

Reference

A statement requested from previous employers or teachers to confirm an applicant's identity and reliability.

Trial Period

A short period of employment (such as a day or a week) before offering a permanent contract, ensuring suitability and reliability.

Training

Improving the skills or knowledge of staff within an organisation.

Induction Training

Training for new staff providing an introduction to the organisation, workplace tour, basic health and safety rules, and task instructions.

Off the Job Training

Training delivered away from the workplace, either at a training centre or college.

On the Job Training

Training carried out while the employee is actively performing their job role in the workplace.

Coaching

An on-the-job training technique where an experienced employee guides a trainee through a task.

Demonstration

An on-the-job training technique where a designated trainer shows the employee how to carry out a specific task.

Job Rotation

A training method where trainees sample different job roles to experience what is involved in each.

Work Shadowing

A training method where a trainee spends time with an employee performing their daily job to observe first-hand how it is done.

Staff Development

The continual development of employee skills and knowledge to maintain motivation and adapt to changing external factors.

Training Schemes

Intense training programmes designed to equip staff with enhanced skills, often leading to pay increases or promotions.

Work-Based Training and Qualifications

Gaining formal qualifications whilst working (such as SVQs or professional accounting qualifications), often via apprenticeships.

Virtual Learning

Online access to learning and teaching tools allowing staff to view materials, submit assignments, and interact with trainers remotely.

Staff Appraisals

Regular performance review meetings with managers where employees receive feedback and set future work targets.

Recognition

Acknowledging employees for hard work through non-financial initiatives such as an 'employee of the month' scheme.

Development Opportunities

Chances provided to employees to enhance their skills (e.g. management training schemes) to prepare them for promotion.

Empowerment

Giving staff the authority and decision-making power to manage their own work, boosting job satisfaction.

Worker-Director

A low-level employee who is given a non-voting seat on the Board of Directors to represent workforce views to senior management.

Works Councils

Consultative committees composed of equal numbers of employees and managers who discuss workplace changes and share decision-making powers.

Quality Circles

Consultative groups where employees are invited to contribute ideas on how to improve production and quality standards.

Autocratic Leadership

A leadership style where managers retain complete control, make all decisions, and closely supervise workers without consultation.

Democratic Leadership

A leadership style that encourages communication and employee participation in decision-making, though management retains final approval.

Laissez-Faire Leadership

A leadership style where managers delegate full decision-making authority and autonomy to highly skilled, self-motivated workers.

Employee Relations

The interactions and working relationships between management and employees in an organisation.

Informal Appraisal

An informal, quick chat between a manager and employee to provide immediate feedback on work performance.

Peer Appraisal

A performance review conducted by a colleague who works at the same organisational level as the employee.

360 Degree Appraisal

A comprehensive appraisal process gathering feedback about an employee from peers, supervisors, and subordinates.

Flexitime

A scheduling system allowing employees to choose their start and finish times provided they work their required contracted hours.

Homeworking

An arrangement enabling staff to work from home using communication technology like email and video conferencing.

Third Spaces

Public or informal working venues like coffee shops or parks utilized by businesses to promote flexible working and employee relaxation.

Negotiation

Formal discussions between employers and employees (often via collective bargaining) to reach agreements on terms like pay and working conditions.

Trade Union

An organization that represents a group of workers to protect their rights and interests through collective bargaining and legal support.

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)

A government-funded body that provides advice, conciliation, and arbitration services to resolve workplace disputes out of court.

CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

An association representing employers across major UK industries that lobbies the government on business policies.

Grievances

Formal concerns, complaints, or disputes raised by an employee regarding their work or treatment in the workplace.

Disciplinary Procedure

Established company procedures used to handle instances of poor conduct, attendance issues, or rule breaches fairly and consistently.

Sanctions

Disciplinary penalties issued to employees, such as written warnings, final written warnings, suspension, demotion, or dismissal.

Dismissal

The termination of an employee's contract by an employer as a last resort for severe or repeated misconduct.

Industrial Action

Measures taken by employees or employers when workplace disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation.

Go Slow

A form of industrial action where employees deliberately perform their duties at a slower pace to reduce overall productivity.

Work to Rule

A form of industrial action where employees strictly perform only the exact duties specified in their employment contract.

Sit In

A form of industrial action where employees remain inside the workplace premises but refuse to work.

Overtime Ban

A form of industrial action where employees refuse to work any hours beyond their basic contracted hours.

Strike

A form of industrial action where employees completely withdraw their labor and refuse to work.

Picketing

Demonstrating outside a workplace during a dispute to inform the public and deter others from entering.

Overtime Withdrawal

An employer action where management refuses to offer additional working hours to staff.

Lock Out

An employer action where management prevents employees from entering the workplace to perform their jobs.

Close

An employer action involving the permanent closure of a factory or branch.

Equality Act 2010

Legislation making it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on nine protected characteristics (e.g. age, disability, gender, race, religion).

National Minimum Wage Act 1998

Legislation making it illegal for employers to pay workers below a statutory minimum hourly rate based on age.

Employment Rights Act 1996

Legislation governing employee rights, including receiving a written contract within two months, statutory leave, and redundancy entitlement.

Permanent Contract

An employment agreement that continues indefinitely until terminated by either party giving standard notice.

Temporary Contract

An employment agreement where an employee works for a temporary period to cover a specific short-term need.

Fixed Term Contract

An employment agreement valid for a specified, predetermined time frame (e.g. a summer position).

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Legislation establishing duty of care for employers to protect employee safety and health, and requiring employee compliance.

Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963

Legislation establishing workplace standards for cleanliness, temperature, ventilation, lighting, space, and sanitation facilities.