Human Resources Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards related to Human Resources terminology, covering key definitions and concepts essential for the subject.

affirmative action

Employment activities designed to 'right past wrongs' by increasing opportunities for minorities and women.

reverse discrimination

Discrimination against members of dominant or majority group (e.g. whites or males) usually as a result of policies designed to correct previous discrimination against minority or disadvantaged groups.

job analysis

A study of employees who hold various job titles.

job description

A summary of the objectives of a job, the type of work to be done, the responsibilities and duties, the working conditions, and the relationship of the job to other functions.

job specifications

A written summary of the minimum qualifications required of workers to do a particular job.

recruitment

The set of activities used to obtain a sufficient number of the right employees at the right time.

selection

The process of gathering information and deciding who should be hired, under legal guidelines, to serve the best interests of the individual and the organization.

contingent workers

Employees that include part-time workers, temporary workers, seasonal workers, independent contractors, interns, and co-op students.

training and development

All attempts to improve productivity by increasing an employee's ability to perform. Training focuses on short-term skills, whereas development focuses on long-term abilities.

orientation

The activity that introduces new employees to the organization; to fellow employees; to their immediate supervisors; and to the policies, practices, and objectives of the firm.

on-the-job training

Training at the workplace that lets the employee learn by doing or by watching others for a while and then imitating them.

apprentice programs

Training programs during which a learner works alongside an experienced employee to master the skills and procedures of a craft.

off-the-job training

Internal or external training programs away from the workplace that develop any of a variety of skills or foster personal development.

online training

Training programs in which employees complete classes via the internet.

vestibule training

Training done in schools where employees are taught on equipment similar to that used on the job.

management development

The process of training and educating employees to become good managers, then monitoring the progress of their managerial skills over time.

networking

The process of establishing and maintaining contacts with key managers in and outside the organization and using those contacts to weave strong relationships that serve as informal development systems.

Mentor

An experienced employee who supervises, coaches, and guides lower-level employees by introducing them to the right people and generally being their organizational sponsor.

performance appraisal

An evaluation that measures employee performance against established standards in order to make decisions about promotions, compensation, training, or termination.

cafeteria-style fringe benefits

Allow employees to choose the benefits they want (up to a certain dollar amount).

compressed workweek

Work schedule that allows an employee to work a full number of hours per week but in fewer days.

core time

In a flextime plan, when all employees are expected to be on their job stations.

fringe benefits

Any financial extras beyond the regular paycheck, such as health insurance, life insurance, sick-leave, paid vacation and/or retirement.

human resources management (HRM)

All the activities involved in selecting, acquiring, maintaining, developing, motivating, evaluating, and compensating, and scheduling employees to achieve organization goals.

job sharing

An arrangement whereby two part-time employees share one full-time job.

job simulation

The use of equipment that duplicates job conditions and tasks so trainees can learn skills before attempting them on the job.

flextime plan

Work schedules that give employees some freedom to choose when to work, as long as they work the required number of hours or complete their assigned tasks.