Shared Flashcard Set

Details

PHR 2018
PHR 2018
566
Business
Professional
06/14/2018

Additional Business Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
accounting Organizational function
Definition
concerned with recording financial transactions, paying bills, collecting revenue from customers, and producing financial statements.
Term
acquired-needs theory
Definition
Theory developed by David McClelland that states that people are motivated by experiences acquired throughout their lives. Overall, humans are motivated to excel in achievement, affiliation, or power.
Term
active training method
Definition
Learning experience focused on the learner, such as case studies,computer-based training (CBT), and programmed instruction.
Term
actual deferral percentage (ADP) test
Definition
Test required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to ensure that highly compensated employees (HCEs) do not receive greater benefits from a 401(k) plan than those received by other employees.
Term
administrative services only (ASO)
Definition
plan Benefit plan used by some self-fundedorganizations. These organizations contract with an insurance company to manage and pay claims.
Term
adverse impact
Definition
Any negative result of an employment action.
Term
Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)
Definition
Plan that analyzes a workforce to determine whether protected classes are underutilized in different job groups and describes how an organization will address any underutilization that exists.
Term
agency shop clause
Definition
Clause in a labor contract specifying that all employees must either join the union or pay union dues if they choose not to join the union.
Term
ally doctrine
Definition
Principle stating that if an employer whose workers are on strike asks aneutral employer to produce the work that would normally be performed by the striking workers, the neutral employer becomes an ally of the struck employer and is therefore alegitimate target of a picket line.
Term
alter ego doctrine
Definition
Principle stating that when two businesses have interrelated operations, central control of labor relations, common management, and common ownership, they are considered alter ego employers, and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may determine that employees of the alter ego employer are part of the bargaining unit.
Term
alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
Definition
Range of methods used to solve disagreements without litigation. These alternatives are often able to resolve problems with less animosity than occurs when a lawsuit is filed, and at far less cost to the parties.
Term
Americans with Disabilities Act
Definition
Employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In general, the employment provisions of the ADA require equal opportunity in selecting, testing, and hiring qualified applicants with disabilities; job accommodation for applicants and workers with disabilities when such accommodations would not impose
Term
andragogy
Definition
The study of how adults learn. In this form of education, the learner participates in decisions about what will be taught and how it will be delivered.
Term
applicant-tracking system (ATS)
Definition
Automated approach for keeping track of job applicantsfrom the receipt of an application or resume to final disposition.
Term
auditory learner
Definition
One of the three learning styles. Learners who retain information best when they hear it.
Term
authoritarian leader
Definition
Type of leader who tells people what to do. This approach can be effective in emergencies or when productivity is the organization
Term
authorization card
Definition
Means by which the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) determines that there is sufficient support for a union to hold an election. The NLRB will hold an election if 30 percent of the eligible employees in the anticipated bargaining unit sign the authorization cards.
Term
autonomy
Definition
Degree of independence or discretion allowed on the job.
Term
average bias
Definition
Type of interviewer bias characterized by a group of candidates (in a selection process) or employees (in a performance-management process) who are all rated about the same because the interviewer or reviewer has difficulty deciding which one is best.
Term
balanced
Definition
scorecard Business measurement tool used by managers to track information in four key areas: financial results, customer results, key internal processes, and how people are hired and trained to achieve organization goals.
Term
balance sheet
Definition
Statement that provides a snapshot of an organization
Term
base pay
Definition
Preset salary or hourly rate paid to an employee for performing their job responsibilities.
Term
behavioral reinforcement
Definition
Also known as behavior modification. Process studied by B.F. Skinner that revealed behavior could be changed through the use of four intervention strategies: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction.
Term
behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS)
Definition
Performance-appraisal system that identifies key job requirements from a job description and creates dimensions and anchor statements that are used to rate employee performance.
Term
behavior-evaluation method
Definition
Third level of a training-evaluation model developed by Donald Kirkpatrick that uses a test to measure how well participants learned the information presented in a training.
Term
benchmark positions Jobs
Definition
commonly found across organizations regardless of size or industry.
Term
bias Personal preference
Definition
toward a candidate or employee for reasons that are not job-related. Bias interferes with the ability of an interviewer or appraiser to objectively evaluate an individual
Term
binding arbitration
Definition
Way of resolving conflicts without resorting to work stoppages. The parties to a dispute agree to accept the arbitrator
Term
biological health hazard
Definition
Type of environmental health hazard that spreads infectious diseases to people and can be caused by many factors, including unsanitary conditions in afood-preparation area or serious diseases contracted through needlestick injuries.
Term
blocking-charge bar
Definition
One of the bars to union-representation elections, based on pending charges of unfair labor practices that prevent unions from petitioning the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election.
Term
bonus plan Compensation
Definition
strategy that pays employees additional compensation to encourage desired behaviors or reward results achieved. Examples of bonuses include discretionary performance bonuses, referral bonuses, patent awards, and employee-of-the-month rewards.
Term
broadbanding Job-classification
Definition
method that consolidates multiple pay grades into a few broad
Term
business-continuity planning
Definition
Proactive strategy to protect an organization from emergencies and other circumstances. It results in a written document describing possible disruptions to operations and actions to be taken to minimize those disruptions and assigns responsibility for executing the plan to specific individuals.
Term
business process outsource (BPO)
Definition
Practice of engaging a third-party provider to assume operational control of and responsibility for a particular business function.
Term
call-back pay Compensation
Definition
paid to employees when they are called to work before or after their scheduled work time on the same work day.
Term
career portfolio
Definition
Talent-management tool that gathers information about an employee
Term
case study
Definition
Training tool that reproduces a realistic situation providing learners with the opportunity to analyze the circumstances just as though it was one encountered in the course of business. Case studies provide learners with the opportunity to investigate, study, and analyze a situation.
Term
cash balance plan
Definition
Benefit plan that combines some elements of both defined-benefit and defined-contribution plans. These plans are regulated as deferred-benefit plans but are less costly for employers. cause-and-effect diagram Quality-management tool developed by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa that organizes information for use in brainstorming sessions.
Term
centralized organization
Definition
Type of organization in which decision-making authority is held at senior levels or is concentrated at corporate headquarters.
Term
certification-year
Definition
bar One of the bars to union representation elections. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will not order an election for at least one year after certifying a bargaining representative.
Term
change agent
Definition
Person who listens to various stakeholders
Term
change management Broad
Definition
term used to describe the strategies used by organizations to facilitate the acceptance of change by employees.
Term
change process theory
Definition
Kurt Lewin
Term
check sheet The simplest
Definition
quality-management tool, often used to gather data and count items. Consists of a list of items; each time an item occurs, a check mark is placed next to it.
Term
chemical health hazard
Definition
Type of environmental health hazard that can cause illness or injury.
Term
childcare discrimination
Definition
Also known as family-responsibility discrimination. Occurs when employees who must care for elders or children suffer adverse tangible employment actions because of these responsibilities. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) applies existing discrimination law to claims when possible, often using Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements.
Term
choice-of-law
Definition
clause A clause that allows for parties in a global staffing arrangement to agree on which laws
Term
classification
Definition
method Method of job evaluation that identifies benchmark positions, places them in salary grades, and then matches positions with similar knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and slots them into the same grade.
Term
cliff vesting
Definition
Form of delayed benefit vesting in which participants become 100 percent invested after a specified period of time. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) sets the maximum vesting period at five years for qualified plans.
Term
closed shop clause
Definition
Clause in a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that requires all new hires to be members of the union before they are hired. The closed shop is illegal except in the construction industry.
Term
closing conference
Definition
Conference held at the end of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection during which the inspector, employer, and employee representatives discuss the observations made and corrective actions that must be taken.
Term
collective-bargaining agreement (CBA)
Definition
Contract between a union and an employer that governs the employment relationship for a specified period of time.
Term
commission
Definition
Percentage of the sales price paid to employees for the products and services they sell to a customer. Commissions may serve as the entire cash compensation package or work in combination with a base salary.
Term
common-law doctrine
Definition
Principles developed over centuries as a result of legal decisions made by judges in individual cases.
Term
common situs picketing
Definition
Picketing that occurs when an employer shares a building with other employers. Because picketing a common business location can interfere with the ability of secondary businesses to operate, unions must ensure that picket signs clearly state the name of the business they are striking and, where possible, restrict picketing to an entrance that is used only by the primary employer.
Term
communication strategy
Definition
Means of establishing a plan for disseminating business information to the organization and describing the means for doing so.
Term
community of practice
Definition
Informal group of people willing to share their experiences and expertise with co-workers.
Term
comparable worth
Definition
Concept suggesting that jobs requiring similar levels of knowledge, skill, and ability should be paid similarly.
Term
compa-ratio
Definition
Calculation tool that compares an employee
Term
compensable
Definition
factors Characteristics that define and distinguish different jobs from one another and are used to evaluate jobs.
Term
compensable
Definition
time Any time employers
Term
compensatory
Definition
time off Paid time off from work that is substituted for overtime pay when extra hours are worked, and is only available to public employees.
Term
competency-based compensation
Definition
Program focused on employee knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) rather than on job duties.
Term
compulsory arbitration
Definition
Means of resolution mandated by legal statute to resolve disputes in the public sector where labor strikes are prohibited.
Term
computer-based training (CBT)
Definition
Interactive training method using computer- and network-enabled teaching that combines elements of the lecture, demonstration, one-on-one, and simulation methods, allowing the learner to have a real-world learning experience.
Term
concurrent validity
Definition
Type of criterion validity that correlates a test measurement to behavior. A test is given, and the behavior is measured at the same time.
Term
conference Passive training
Definition
method that combines lecture or presentation with questionand-answer sessions involving the participants.
Term
conflict resolution
Definition
Process that develops strategies for resolving issues and maintaining or rebuilding effective working relationships.
Term
consent election Union
Definition
election held after a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) conference if the employer and the union agree to jurisdictional issues, the makeup of the bargaining unit, the eligibility of voters in the proposed unit, and the time and place of the election.
Term
constructive confrontation
Definition
Form of mediation developed to resolve long-standing, deep-rooted conflicts about difficult, significant issues in organizations.
Term
constructive discharge
Definition
Dismissal that occurs when an employer forces an employee to resign by creating a work environment that is so unpleasant that a reasonable person would resign.
Term
construct validity
Definition
Measurement of the connection between candidate characteristics and job performance. It is not widely used because of its complexity.
Term
consumer picketing Action performed to advise consumers that goods have been produced by a business whose workers are on strike.
Definition
Term
consumer reporting agency (CRA)
Definition
Third-party provider that gathers information aboutindividuals and supplies that information to an employer.
Term
content validity
Definition
One of three methods used to confirm that a selection test measures what it is intended to measure by comparing the test to the job description.
Term
continuity of operations plan
Definition
Plan created to move from disaster recovery (during which critical business functions are maintained but normal operations may not be taking place)back to pre-emergency service operating levels.
Term
continuous-feedback program
Definition
Performance-management program that provides ongoing communication to employees about performance during the review period.
Term
continuous FMLA leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Definition
leave that occurs when an employee is absent from work for a single block of extended time.
Term
contract
Definition
Legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties in which all parties benefit in some way.
Term
contract bar
Definition
One of the bars to union-representation elections, which prevents an election when a valid collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is already in place.
Term
contract workers
Definition
Workers employed by brokers or agencies who negotiate contracts for the workers and act as the employer of record, providing payroll, marketing, and other services for them.
Term
contrast bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer or reviewer compares candidates to each other or compares all candidates to one candidate who may be either very weak orvery strong.
Term
contributory
Definition
negligence Legal doctrine used to mitigate an employer
Term
coordinated bargaining
Definition
Also known as multiunit bargaining. Type of bargaining in which an employer negotiates with several unions representing different bargaining units in a company.
Term
corporate responsibility
Definition
strategic efforts achieved through building external relationships around community and social issues.
Term
corporate restructuring
Definition
Radical change to an organization
Term
correlation Quantitative
Definition
measurement tool that compares two variables to determine whether there is a relationship between them. For example, if the HR department posts a quarterly reminder for employees about the referral bonus that is paid for new hires, a correlation analysis could be used to determine whether there is an increase in referrals in the
Term
weeks after the reminder.
Definition
Term
correlation coefficient
Definition
Coefficient that describes the relationship between two variables and is stated as a number between
Term
cost/benefit analysis (CBA)
Definition
Analysis that compares the costs of various possible decisions to each other, forecasts the net impact of each on the bottom line, and recommends the best alternative.
Term
cost of labor
Definition
Cost to employers of hiring and retaining employees.
Term
covered entities Health plans,
Definition
health-care providers, and clearinghouses identified by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules as bearing responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of patient information. Employers who process or have access to employee health-benefit information may also be considered covered entities for the purposes of the HIPAA privacy requirements.
Term
criterion validity Validity
Definition
established when a test predicts or correlates an expected trait or work behavior.
Term
critical incident review
Definition
Type of employee review. During the review period, supervisors maintain a critical incident log recording positive and negative performance. The log is used to present these critical incidents to employees during the performance review.
Term
cultural-noise bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when candidates answer questions based on what they think the interviewer wants to hear instead of what they believe or know about themselves.
Term
cycles Trends
Definition
characterized by a pattern of repeated performance for a period of more than one year.
Term
deauthorization Process
Definition
employees use to remove a union security clause from the collective-bargaining agreement (CBA).
Term
decentralized organization
Definition
Organization in which decision-making authority is held by the managers who are closest to the operating activities.
Term
decertification Process
Definition
employees use to remove a union as their bargaining representative if they are dissatisfied with the union
Term
defamation Communication
Definition
that damages an individual
Term
defined-benefit plan
Definition
Deferred-compensation plan in which the employer provides a specific benefit upon retirement. The funds are not accounted for individually.
Term
defined-contribution
Definition
plan Individual deferred-compensation plan in which the amount of funds contributed are known, but the amount of the benefit that is eventually paid out is not known because it depends on the investment returns that are earned. The funds are accounted for in individual accounts for each participant.
Term
delayed vesting
Definition
Plan in which participants must wait for a defined period of time prior to becoming fully vested in a retirement account. There are two types of delayed vesting: cliff vesting and graded vesting.
Term
Delphi technique Qualitative
Definition
analysis method in which input is obtained from a group of individuals, summarized, and resubmitted to the group for additional input until consensus is reached. The Delphi technique is unique because the group members do not meet in person; instead, they conduct the analysis in writing.
Term
de minimis
Definition
Type of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation that does not pose a direct or immediate threat to safety or health. It is the lowest violation level identified by OSHA.
Term
democratic leader
Definition
Leader who involves employees in the decision-making process. This style is most effective when work relationships are the organization
Term
demonstration Experiential training
Definition
method in which a trainer first explains the process operation, demonstrates it, and then observes while the learner performs it.
Term
dependent-care account Flexible spending account
Definition
authorized by Section 129 of the Internal Revenue Code in which employees may set aside a maximum of $5,000 to be used to care for dependent children or elders. To obtain reimbursement for dependent-care expenses, employees must provide an itemized statement of charges from the caregiver.
Term
design patents
Definition
Patent that protects new, original, and ornamental designs of manufactured items. Design patents are limited to 14 years.
Term
direct compensation
Definition
Payments made to employees such as base pay, variable compensation, and pay for performance.
Term
directed election
Definition
Union representation election that occurs after a National Labor
Term
Relations Board (NLRB)
Definition
pre-election hearing has resolved issues about jurisdiction, the bargaining unit, voter eligibility, and the time and place of the election.
Term
disaster recovery plan (DRP)
Definition
Plan describing activities that take place once the response to an initial emergency is over.
Term
discretionary contributions
Definition
Also known as profit-sharing plans. Means by which employers can contribute deferred compensation based on a percentage of company earnings each year.
Term
disparate impact
Definition
Effect when an employment practice that may appear to be fair unintentionally discriminates against members of a protected class.
Term
disposable earnings
Definition
Amount of employee pay left after federally mandated deductions are made, including federal and state income tax, Social Security, state and local taxes, disability insurance, and so on.
Term
distance learning
Definition
Training delivery mechanism allowing simultaneous training to occur in geographically dispersed multiple locations. Distance learning provides participants with the ability to communicate with presenters and participants in other locations using web technology or video conferencing.
Term
distributive justice
Definition
Measure of organizational justice in which the pay closely reflects actual performance.
Term
diversity
Definition
Term used to describe a multicultural, multiracial, and multiethnic workforce.
Term
diversity initiative
Definition
Attempt to increase the racial, ethnic, religious, educational, personality, and economic diversity of an organization
Term
diversity training
Definition
Training designed to educate all groups in a workforce about the cultures, needs, and attitudes of other groups in the workforce to ensure the inclusion of all groups in workplace activities.
Term
divisional
Definition
organization structure Decentralized structure, organized by criteria such as market or industry, that places responsibility for all business functions on the executives for the division. The divisions report to the CEO.
Term
doctrine of contributory
Definition
negligence Common-law doctrine that allows a worker
Term
downsizing
Definition
Process that reduces the size of an organization
Term
due process
Definition
In the employment context, employment actions taken in accordance with established procedures. This includes notifying employees of pending actions and providing them with the opportunity to respond to any allegations prior to making a final employment decision.
Term
duty of diligence
Definition
Common-law doctrine requiring an employee to act
Term
duty of loyalty
Definition
Common-law doctrine requiring employees to act in the best interest of the employer and not solicit work away from the employer to benefit themselves.
Term
duty of obedience
Definition
Common-law doctrine requiring employees to act within the authority granted by the employer and to follow the employer
Term
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA)
Definition
The 2001 act aimed in part toward retirement plan reform. Provided tax cuts and new retirement plan contribution tables. Allowed employee participant
Term
education labor
Definition
market Labor market that includes individuals with similar levels of education.
Term
e-learning Broad
Definition
category of learning defined by the use of electronically supported media and training techniques.
Term
emergency action plan
Definition
Plan that informs employees of appropriate procedures to follow during a fire, an evacuation, or another emergency.
Term
emergency response plan (ERP)
Definition
Plan that describes how an organization will react to different emergency situations or natural disasters if they occur.
Term
emotional intelligence
Definition
(EI or EQ) Measurement of how people deal with their feelings and how they perceive and interact with others.
Term
employee engagement
Definition
Employee attitudes and feelings toward work, used as a critical measure of overall organizational success.
Term
Employee Retirement Income Security Act The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
Definition
is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.
Term
employee self-service
Definition
Program that lets employees use an automated system to access their own records and make routine changes.
Term
employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
Definition
Defined-compensation plan in which employees are able to purchase stock in the organization at a reduced price.
Term
employee surveys Polls
Definition
used to gather data relevant to the life cycle of an employee in the organization.
Term
employment practices
Definition
liability insurance (EPLI) Insurance coverage that protects employers against lawsuits brought by current or former employees.
Term
environmental health
Definition
hazards Hazards that come in many forms, including physical hazards such as noise and extreme temperatures, exposure to chemicals used for everything from making copies to manufacturing products, and biological hazards from viruses and bacteria.
Term
environmental scan
Definition
Scan that collects information about an organization, industry, marketplace, and technology for use in the strategic planning process. There are two elements to the scanning process: internal assessment and external assessment.
Term
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Definition
Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Term
Equity theory J. Stacey Adams
Definition
stating that people are constantly measuring what they put into work against what they get from work.
Term
ergonomics
Definition
Science that addresses the way a physical environment is designed and how efficient and safe that design is for the people in the environment.
Term
ERG theory
Definition
Clayton Alderfer
Term
essay review
Definition
Form of performance appraisal in which the appraiser writes a short description of an employee
Term
essential job functions
Definition
Job duties and responsibilities that are the reasons for the job
Term
establishment report EEO-1
Definition
report required for locations with 50 or more employees.
Term
ethnocentric Global staffing
Definition
strategy in which expatriates fill all key management positions.
Term
E-Verify
Definition
Online tool administered through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and used by employers to verify the validity of documents presented by new hires.
Term
Excelsior list
Definition
List containing the names and addresses of all employees in a bargaining unit designated by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This list must be provided by the employer to the union within 7 days of the consent to or direction of an election.
Term
exception reporting
Definition
Method of reporting time worked in which only deviations from the regular work schedule are recorded, such as paid time off.
Term
executive coaching program
Definition
Program that develops leadership skills for highly valued key executives. This person is generally someone from outside the company who gives honest feedback to facilitate executive growth in areas needing development.
Term
executive order
Definition
Presidential proclamation that, when published in the Federal Register, becomes law after 30 days.
Term
exempt
Definition
Type of position that does not require compliance with requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Exempt positions must be paid on a salary, not an hourly basis, and must meet the requirements established by Department of Labor (DOL) exemption tests for administrative, professional, outside sales, executive, or other jobs exempted by DOL regulations.
Term
exit interview
Definition
Interview conducted with employees when they leave the organization to determine why they are leaving, what improvements could be made to the organization, and whether any specific issues need to be addressed.
Term
expatriate
Definition
Employee who originates from the corporate home country and works in another country.
Term
expectancy theory
Definition
Victor Vroom
Term
experience rating
Definition
Method sometimes used by insurance providers that calculates future premiums based on costs incurred by a group during the current coverage period.
Term
experiential training methods
Definition
Training methods that use real-time situations such as demonstrations, one-on-one training, or performance-based training to provide learners with experience.
Term
express contract
Definition
Verbal or written agreement in which the parties state exactly what they agree to do.
Term
extrinsic reward
Definition
Nonmonetary compensation in which esteem is achieved from others, such as fulfillment from working with a talented team of peers.
Term
Fair Labor Standards Act The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Definition
prescribes standards for minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws in employment. It requires employers to pay covered employees who are not otherwise exempt at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay of one-and-one-half-times the regular rate of pay, and limits the employment of minors.
Term
fair use
Definition
doctrine One of the circumstances for using published works without permission specified by the Copyright Act of 1976. Use of a work for criticism, commentary, news reporting, or teaching is not an infringement if four factors laid out in the law are met.
Term
(WARN Act)
Definition
allows companies with a reasonable expectation that they will receive the additional funding they are actively seeking do not need to provide 60 days notice of a layoff or closure.
Term
fellow-servant rule Common-law doctrine that absolves employers of responsibility for worker injuries if a co-worker
Definition
Term
fiduciary responsibility
Definition
Legal obligation placed on executives to make decisions that benefit the organization or a pension trust fund instead of making decisions that benefit them personally.
Term
field review
Definition
Narrative method of performance appraisal conducted by someone other than the supervisor.
Term
final written warning
Definition
Warning to an employee that adds, in addition to the information provided in a first written warning, the statement that continued inability or refusal to make necessary changes will result in termination of employment.
Term
finance Organizational function
Definition
responsible for obtaining credit to meet the organization
Term
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Definition
Group that establishes standards of financial accounting and reporting intended to regulate and guide financial accounting
Term
first-impression bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when a candidate is judged based on what happens during the first few minutes of an interview.
Term
first written warning
Definition
Second step in a disciplinary process, which advises an employee that work behavior must change, lays out steps that have already been taken to advise the employee of the deficit, and describes steps that need to be taken to improve performance and remain employed.
Term
fiscal year Annual financial
Definition
reporting period that may be different from a calendar year, such as July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next calendar year.
Term
flexible spending account (FSA)
Definition
Type of plan authorized by Sections 125 and 129 of the Revenue Act of 1978 that allows employees to set aside pretax funds for medical or dependent expenses they expect to incur during the calendar year.
Term
focal review
Definition
Performance review cycle that evaluates all employees during the same period of time.
Term
forced ranking
Definition
Comparison method of performance appraisal that requires managers to rank employees according to the bell curve, with the majority of employees receiving average ratings and fewer receiving either high or low ratings.
Term
formative evaluation
Definition
Means of testing or previewing training content prior to final delivery to ensure that it will result in the desired behaviors.
Term
functional organization structure
Definition
Organizational structure that is formal, traditional, nd pyramid-shaped. Communication moves vertically between levels. Each functional area reports to the CEO.
Term
gainsharing Organizational or group
Definition
incentive plan in which employees and managers come together for the common purpose of improving the organization
Term
gap analysis
Definition
Third step of a needs assessment in which the current situation is compared to the objective, resulting in a list of people, actions, or items needed to achieve the objective. The goal of the gap analysis is to close the gap between
Term
gatekeeper
Definition
Person who controls the input or output of a situation or activity. Forexample, in a health-and-welfare benefits setting, a patient
Term
general duty
Definition
standard Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) tandard that requires employers to provide jobs and a workplace environment that are free from recognized safety and health hazards that could potentially cause death or serious physical harm. This standard also requires employers to comply with all OSHA rules, regulations, and standard
Term
geocentric staffing
Definition
Global staffing strategy that places the best-qualified person in a position regardless of their country of origin.
Term
geographic labor
Definition
market Labor market that includes individuals with a wide variety of skills in a specific area, such as local, national, regional, or international.
Term
geographic organization
Definition
structure Organizational structure that is decentralized, that is organized by regions, and that places responsibility for all business functions in the executives for the regions. The regions report to the CEO.
Term
geographic pay
Definition
Form of compensation that ensures employee pay is competitive in local labor markets.
Term
glass ceiling
Definition
Term first used by the Wall Street Journal to describe the limitations faced by women and minorities when it comes to advancing into the senior ranks of corporate management.
Term
goal
Definition
Statement that describes a desired achievement and keeps employees focused on what is important to the organization.
Term
golden handcuffs
Definition
Form of pay used to retain executive employees, often in the form of stock options that vest over a period of time.
Term
golden handshake
Definition
Agreement that provides protection to CEOs who take positions with high termination risks, such as restructuring a company.
Term
golden life jacket
Definition
Form of retention pay designed to ensure that executives remain with a reorganized company.
Term
golden parachute
Definition
Agreement that provides specific benefits to executives terminated as the result of a change in company control and that can include severance pay, bonuses, options, and other types of benefits.
Term
graded vesting
Definition
Also known as graduated or gradual vesting. Delayed vesting schedule that provides for partial vesting in a retirement account each year for a specified number of years. A graded vesting schedule in a qualified plan must allow for at least 20 percent vesting after 3 years and 20 percent per year after that, with participants achieving full vesting after 7 years of service.
Term
graveyard shift
Definition
Night-to-morning shift, such as midnight to 8 a.m. The graveyard shift is generally thought of as an undesirable time to work.
Term
green circle
Definition
Salaries that are below the minimum of the salary range.
Term
gross pay
Definition
Amount earned by an employee before taxes are withheld.
Term
group incentives
Definition
Also known as organizational incentives. Benefits or bonuses shared by all employees in the organization or in a department, commonly put in place to increase productivity and foster teamwork while sharing the financial rewards with employees. Types of group incentives include gainsharing, Improshare, the Scanlon Plan, profit sharing, and Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOPs).
Term
gut-feeling bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer relies on intuition to determine whether a candidate will be a good or bad fit for the position.
Term
halo-effect bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer bases a positive assessment on a single characteristic and allows it to overshadow other, negative characteristics.
Term
harshness bias
Definition
Also known as the horn effect. Bias that occurs when an interviewer rates a candidate negatively based on a single characteristic, allowing it to overshadow other, positive characteristics.
Term
HAY system Classification
Definition
system for job evaluation, developed by Edward Hay of the Hay Group, that uses a complex point-factor method. Jobs are evaluated using three factors: knowledge, problem solving, and accountability. Using the points from the evaluation, the job(s) are matched to a profile.
Term
hazard pay Additional pay
Definition
provided for dangerous and/or extremely uncomfortable working conditions.
Term
headquarters report EEO-1
Definition
report required for the principal office of an organization.
Term
health and wellness programs
Definition
Voluntary programs that seek to prevent employee illnesses and lower health-care costs.
Term
Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Definition
(NIOSH) program that responds to and investigates concerns about workplace hazards such as the effects of chemical risks, biological risks, stress, noise, radiation, ergonomics, and other risks.
Term
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA
Definition
is a federal law that limits the ability of a new employer plan to exclude coverage for preexisting conditions; provides additional opportunities to enroll in a group health plan if you lose other coverage or experience certain life events; prohibits discrimination against employees and their dependent family members based on any health factors they may have, including prior medical conditions, previous claims experience, and genetic information; and guarantees that certain individuals will have access to, and can renew, individual health insurance policies
Term
health purchasing alliance (HPA)
Definition
Coalition that makes it possible for small employers to join with other employers in a geographic area to take advantage of economies of scale. The HPA will negotiate and contract for benefit plans on behalf of all members of the group.
Term
hierarchy of needs
Definition
Abraham Maslow
Term
high-context culture
Definition
Culture in which people rely on nonverbal clues and relationship to discern meaning.
Term
high-involvement organization (HIO)
Definition
Organization that involves employees in designing their own work processes, taking the actions necessary to complete their work, and being accountable for the results. Jobs in these organizations are broadly defined within self-directed work teams. These organizations are characterized by flat hierarchies in whichcontinuous feedback is provided and information flows between and among work teams.
Term
highly compensated employee (HCE)
Definition
Defined by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) as a 401(k) plan participant who, during the current or prior year, earned $110,000 or more, owns 5 percent or more of the company, and, at the company
Term
histograms Quality-management tool,
Definition
often used in conjunction with a check sheet, that provides a graphical representation of the effects of changes on a process and can be used to set standards.
Term
host-country national (HCN)
Definition
Citizen of the country in which they work for a business that is domiciled in another country.
Term
hot-cargo agreement
Definition
Unfair labor practice (ULP) in which a union asks an employer to stop doing business with another employer, usually to put pressure on the second employer to recognize the union.
Term
human capital management plan (HCMP)
Definition
Document that describes the tactical goals and action plans HR will execute to align its operations during a specified period with the corporate goals and strategy for the same period.
Term
human resource audit
Definition
Method of identifying practice areas in an organization that are working well and those that may be out of compliance with legal requirements or need to be realigned with changes in strategic direction.
Term
human resource information system (HRIS)
Definition
Electronic database that serves as a repository of information and as an aid to effective decision making, thus reducing the amount of paper that the human resource department uses and consolidating the data needed to keep HR information stored and easily accessed.
Term
human resource outsourcer (HRO)
Definition
Third-party vendor providing business process outsourcing services such as payroll, benefit administration, or recruiting.
Term
immediate vesting
Definition
Vesting in a retirement account that occurs 100 percent, or fully, as soon as employees meet the eligibility requirements of the vesting plan.
Term
implied contract
Definition
Contract created by an employer
Term
Improshare
Definition
Type of group incentive plans developed in the 1970s by Mitchell Fein that establishes a baseline of productivity and rewards employees with 50 percent of any gains made over the base.
Term
incentive pay
Definition
Also known as variable compensation. Pay that rewards employees for individual and organizational results. Individual and group incentives have become a common component of the total rewards package.
Term
incentive stock options (ISO)
Definition
Stock options that can be offered only to employees; consultants and outside members of the board of directors are not eligible.
Term
income statement
Definition
Also known as a profit and loss (P&L) statement. Financial report that describes operating results for a period of time including information on revenue from various sources, costs to produce goods or services, overhead expenses, and net income for the period.
Term
independent contractor
Definition
Self-employed individual who works for multiple customers and clients on a project or fee basis.
Term
indirect compensation
Definition
Payments made to employees that are not associated with wages and salaries, such as fringe benefits and government-mandated benefit programs.
Term
individual coverage Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Definition
coverage category requiring companies whose employees
Term
informational picketing
Definition
Also known as publicity picketing. Picketing done to truthfully advise the public that an employer is a union-free workplace.
Term
injunction Court order that either
Definition
requires or forbids an action by one party against another. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 allows injunctions to be issued against any person or group that conspires to restrain trade.
Term
inpatriate Employee
Definition
brought to the home office for training to become accustomed to the corporate culture and practices before returning to their country of origin to work as a host-country national.
Term
inside director
Definition
Member of an organization
Term
integrative bargaining
Definition
Form of principled bargaining in which the parties look at all the issues on the table and make mutually agreeable tradeoffs among those issues.
Term
intellectual property agreement (IPA)
Definition
Agreement that identifies what a company considers to be confidential information (such as customer lists, financial information, or trade secrets) and how its use is limited by the agreement. In addition, the agreement may contain a nonsolicitation clause limiting the ability of former employees to hire co-workers if they leave the organization, as well as how long the agreement must remain confidential after it expires.
Term
interest assessment Talent-management tool
Definition
used with valued employees that identifies development opportunities of interest to the employee.
Term
interest-based bargaining (IBB)
Definition
Form of principled bargaining based on the concept that both sides in a negotiation have harmonious interests.
Term
intermittent FMLA leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Definition
leave that occurs when an employee is absent from work for multiple periods of time due to a single illness or injury.
Term
internal controls Policies and procedures
Definition
designed to protect financial assets from being mishandled.
Term
internal equity Equitable
Definition
ranking of one job relative to others in an organization.
Term
inter-rater reliability
Definition
Reliability achieved by using multiple raters, to reduce the possibility of rating errors due to bias.
Term
intrinsic reward
Definition
Form of noncompensatory reward that enhances individual employee self-esteem, such as satisfaction from challenging work.
Term
investigative consumer report
Definition
A type of pre-employment background check in which the employer collects data through a third party using personal interviews with friends, co-workers, employers, or others acquainted with an individual.
Term
job analysis
Definition
Method that identifies the tasks, processes, or functions that make up the responsibilities of a job.
Term
job bidding
Definition
Process that allows employees to express interest in positions before they become available.
Term
job competencies
Definition
Broad statements of the factors needed to be successful in an organization.
Term
job description
Definition
Written document describing the tasks, processes, or functions that are part of an employee
Term
job enlargement
Definition
Method for designing jobs that adds additional tasks similar to those currently included in the job description.
Term
job enrichment
Definition
According to Frederick Herzberg
Term
job evaluation
Definition
Process that determines the value of individual jobs relative to each other in an organization.
Term
job-group analysis
Definition
Component of an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) that places job titles with similar duties and responsibilities into groups for analysis.
Term
job posting
Definition
Process for posting internal job announcements that provide basic information about an open position to current employees who may be interested in and qualified for the opening.
Term
job pricing
Definition
Process that determines the appropriate pay for a new position or one that has changed significantly. It involves reviewing the job description, matching the job to a salary survey, reviewing the various compensation components in the survey, and recommending an appropriate salary or wage.
Term
job sharing
Definition
Alternative staffing method that allows two part-time employees to share the duties and responsibilities of one full-time position.
Term
job specifications
Definition
Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary for the successful performance of the essential functions of a position.
Term
just-in-time (JIT) inventory
Definition
System designed to reduce inventory costs by the frequent purchase of small amounts of supplies.
Term
key business initiative (KBI)
Definition
Action plan or strategy that optimizes the long-term value of a business.
Term
kinesthetic learner
Definition
Type of learner who retains information best when they are able to have a hands-on experience during training.
Term
knowledge management (KM)
Definition
Process of capturing, retaining, and distributing organizational knowledge.
Term
knowledge-management system
Definition
System that provides a method for verifying and retaining organizational information to solve future problems.
Term
knowledge-of-predictor bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer is aware that a candidate has scored particularly high or low on an assessment and allows this knowledge to influence the selection process.
Term
KSAs
Definition
Knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful job performance.
Term
labor market
Definition
Source from which an organization recruits new employees. A single organization may find itself recruiting from several different labor markets depending on the availability of skills for different positions.
Term
laissez-faire
Definition
management style Approach in which the manager does not provide direction or guidance to subordinates. It generally results in lower productivity in the work group.
Term
layoff
Definition
Also known as a reduction in force (RIF). Elimination of jobs and termination of employees by an organization for economic reasons, due to a change in strategic direction, or for other business reasons.
Term
leadership development
Definition
Program that identifies employees who show promise as potential leaders; provides training, mentoring, and coaching for them; and ensures that they have experience in a broad range of areas in the organization.
Term
learning curve Graphical
Definition
representation of the rate of learning over time.
Term
learning evaluation method
Definition
Second level of Donald Kirkpatrick
Term
learning organization
Definition
Innovative environment in which knowledge is originated, obtained, and freely shared in response to environmental changes that affect the ability of the organization to compete.
Term
lecture Passive
Definition
training method in which speakers address an audience to inform and answer questions. Lectures are often used in combination with other training methods, such as demonstrations.
Term
leniency bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer or reviewer tends to go easy on a candidate and give a higher rating than is warranted.
Term
liability
Definition
Duty or responsibility owed by one party to another, usually of a financial ature. It can result from an agreement or a contract or can be created through a tort. line functions Organizational functions concerned with making decisions about operating needs, such as production and sales.
Term
line of sight
Definition
Ability of employees to know how their performance, good or bad, impacts their base or variable pay.
Term
lobbying
Definition
Activity designed to influence new laws and regulations.
Term
lockout
Definition
Result that occurs when management shuts down operations to keep employees from working.
Term
long-range plans
Definition
Business strategies, goals, or objectives projected to be achieved in 3 to 5 years.
Term
low-context culture Organizational
Definition
culture in which people rely on what is said to discern what is meant.
Term
maintenance of membership Clause in a union contract that allows employees to choose whether to join the union but, once they join, requires that they remain members until the expiration of the contract. The employee must notify the union to discontinue membership within 30 days of the contract expiration.
Definition
Term
major life activities
Definition
Defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a general activity (such as caring for oneself, sleeping, hearing, eating, and so on) or major bodily function (brain, circulatory, digestive systems, and so on).
Term
management by objectives (MBO)
Definition
Process built on the concepts of mutual involvement in setting performance goals, ongoing communication during the performance period (usually a year), and measurement and reward for accomplishments at the end of the period.It aligns individuals with the organization
Term
marketing
Definition
Organizational function that promotes and distributes products in the marketplace, provides support for the sales staff, conducts research to design products that customers will be interested in purchasing, and determines the appropriate pricing for the product.
Term
mass layoff
Definition
As defined by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act), layoff that occurs when either 500 employees, or 33 percent and at least 50 employees, are laid off within a 90-day period.
Term
material safety data sheet (MSDS)
Definition
Document provided by a chemical manufacturer to identify the ingredients in a chemical substance, how the substance reacts to changes in the atmosphere, and its explosive and flammable qualities. An MSDS tells employees whether the material is stable or unstable, what materials it must not be in contact with, and what additional hazards are present when the substance decomposes or degrades.
Term
matrix organization structure
Definition
Organizational structure in which employees report to two managers: one is responsible for a product line, and the other is responsible for a functional area such as marketing or accounting.
Term
mean
Definition
Also known as the average. Quantitative measurement calculated by taking the sum of the values in a set of numbers and dividing by the number of values in the set.
Term
median
Definition
Quantitative measurement derived by putting the numbers in a set in sequential order. The median is at the physical center, so half the numbers are below it, and half are above it.
Term
mental models
Definition
One of Peter Senge
Term
mentoring program
Definition
Program that assigns an experienced individual to act as a teacher, guide, counselor, sponsor, or facilitator and provide personalized feedback and guidance for a more junior colleague.
Term
merit increase
Definition
Addition to an employee
Term
midpoint progression
Definition
Difference between the midpoints of consecutive salary grades, which is generally narrower for lower grades and wider for higher grades.
Term
midrange plans
Definition
Business strategies, goals, or objectives projected to be achieved in 1 to 3 years.
Term
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Definition
Government agency established by the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to monitor the safety of mining operations.
Term
mode
Definition
In quantitative analysis, the number that occurs most frequently in a set of numbers.
Term
money-purchase plan
Definition
Defined contribution plan that uses a fixed percentage of employee earnings to defer compensation. It works well for organizations with relatively stable earnings from year to year because the percentage is fixed, and, once established, contributions must be made every year. The contribution limits are the same as for profit-sharing plans.
Term
motivation/hygiene theory
Definition
Also known as two-factor theory. Theory developed in the 1950s by Frederick Herzberg, stating that two factors can be used to motivate people: challenging work (motivation) and the desire to avoid unpleasant experiences (hygiene).
Term
moving average
Definition
Also known as a rolling average. Average calculated for a specific period: for example, the average number of new hires each month for the past 12 months. As the number for the most recent month is added, the oldest number is dropped.
Term
multiemployer bargaining
Definition
Bargaining that takes place when a union negotiates with more than one employer in an industry or region at a time.
Term
multiple linear regression
Definition
Quantitative analysis tool used to measure the relationship between several variables to forecast another.
Term
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Definition
Technique that identifies personality types with four-letter codes that describe individual personalities.
Term
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ,Government agency created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) as part of the Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH is charged with researching and evaluating workplace hazards and recommending ways to reduce the effects of those hazards on workers. NIOSH also supports education and training in the field of occupational safety and health by developing and providing educational materials and training aids.
Definition
Term
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
Definition
The NLRA guarantees the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers. Established the National Labor Relations Board for enforcement and oversight of those worker rights.
Term
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Definition
Government agency established by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to enforce its provisions. It is charged with conducting elections and preventing and remedying unfair labor practices. The NLRB does not instigate actions on its own; it merely responds to charges of unfair labor practices or petitions for representation elections filed in one of its offices.
Term
needs analysis
Definition
Also known as needs assessment. Technique used to evaluate program proposals to select those that will best use organization resources. Needs analysis can be used in any area of business; in HR it is often employed in the areas of training and development, staffing projections, and benefit planning.
Term
negative emphasis bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer or reviewer allows a small amount of negative information to outweigh positive information about a candidate or employee.
Term
negatively accelerating learning curve
Definition
Graphical representation that shows learning increments that are large in the beginning but become smaller as practice continues. This is the most common type of learning curve.
Term
negligent hiring
Definition
Situation in which an employer knew or should have known that an applicant had a prior history of behavior that endangered customers, employees, vendors, or members of the public.
Term
nominal group technique
Definition
Structured meeting format designed to elicit participation from all members of a group in order to arrive at the best possible solution to a problem. Participants begin by individually writing down their ideas about the issue. A facilitator then has each participant present one idea and records them for later discussion. When all the ideas have been presented, the group prioritizes and builds consensus until a resolution is agreed on.
Term
nonbinding arbitration
Definition
Form of arbitration in which either party may reject the arbitrator
Term
nondisclosure agreement (NDA)
Definition
Written agreement in which one party agrees to share proprietary information with another party and the other party agrees not to disseminate the information to anyone else.
Term
nonessential job function
Definition
Function that is not necessary to a particular job but may be transferred to another job without adversely impacting the organization.
Term
nonexempt
Definition
Type of position covered by requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), such as minimum wage and overtime pay for any hours worked in excess of 40 per week.
Term
nonforfeitable claim
Definition
In deferred compensation, a claim that exists because of a participant
Term
nonqualified retirement plan
Definition
In deferred compensation, a plan that includes benefits that exceed the limitations of qualified plans or do not meet other IRS requirements for favorable tax treatment.
Term
nonqualified (NQ) stock options
Definition
Stock options offered to employees at the market or a reduced price. Employers can benefit from the possibility of an increase in stock value without risking a large amount of cash. NQ stock options are the most common type and can be used for consultants and external members of the board of directors as well as employees.
Term
nonverbal bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer is influenced by body language. For example, a candidate who frowns when answering questions could be rated negatively even though the answers were correct.
Term
objective
Definition
Specific description of practical steps taken to achieve business goals. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ,Government agency established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970 that has the responsibility of creating and enforcing safety standards.
Term
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
Definition
The 1970 safety and health act establishing workplace standards for safety, and establishing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for enforcement and oversight of those standards.
Term
occupational safety and health standards
Definition
As required by the OSH Act, standards developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to prevent illness and injury to workers. These include the general duty standard, noise exposure standards, and personal protective equipment.
Term
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Definition
Agency of the federal Department of Labor (DOL) charged with enforcing equal employment opportunity laws for federal contractors and subcontractors.
Term
Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)
Definition
Part of the Social Security Act of 1935 (SSA), paid to qualified workers upon retirement or disability or to their surviving dependents in the event of a worker
Term
ombudsman
Definition
Also called an ombuds. Impartial person not involved in a dispute who can speak with the parties and suggest alternative solutions.
Term
on-boarding program
Definition
Also known as orientation. Program that assists new hires in assimilating into the organization and accelerates attainment of full productivity.
Term
on-call pay
Definition
Extra pay provided to employees who are required to be available via pager, telephone, email, and so on, to respond to work-related issues.
Term
on-call worker
Definition
Employee available to work on short notice and called to work only when needed.
Term
one-on-one training
Definition
Approach that pairs an inexperienced worker with an experienced supervisor or co-worker who uses a variety of techniques to provide the worker with the information and hands-on experience necessary to do the job.
Term
opening conference
Definition
First step in an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection, in which the inspector explains why the site was selected, the purpose of the visit, and the scope of the inspection and discusses the standards that apply to the worksite.
Term
operations
Definition
Organizational function that encompasses all the organizational activities necessary to produce the goods or services of the business, such as product design, capacity, production layout, schedules, quality, inventory, technology, and cost control.
Term
organizational climate
Definition
Combination of organizational culture, behaviors, leadership, management styles, and the level of bureaucracy in an organization.
Term
organizational culture
Definition
Atmosphere, values, and beliefs shared at all levels and reflected
Term
organizational justice
Definition
Concept that employees must have both real and perceived equity in the distribution of rewards.
Term
organizational level training
Definition
Training that focuses on preparing for future needs. It may encompass the entire organization or a single division or department.
Term
organizational picketing
Definition
Type of picketing that occurs when a union wants to attract employees to become members and authorize the union to represent them to the employer.
Term
organizational profile
Definition
Component of an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) that describes organization structure. It may be in the form of a traditional organization chart or a workforce analysis.
Term
organizational structure
Definition
Framework that coordinates activities between business functions and facilitates the flow of communication. The most common structures are functional, product-based, geographic, divisional, and matrix.
Term
OSHA Alliance Program
Definition
Program that provides an avenue for small-business-owner associations to collaborate with the government in promoting workplace health and safety issues. The program is open to trade and professional organizations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies, among others.
Term
outplacement
Definition
Service that helps employees who are leaving a company, most often as the result of a downsizing or layoff, to transition into new positions or other opportunities. These services assist employees with updating resumes, preparing for interviews, and searching for a new job.
Term
outside director
Definition
Member of the board of directors who is not employed by the corporation and does not have operational responsibilities.
Term
outsourcing
Definition
Movement of an entire function out of the organization, to be handled by a company specializing in the function. This solution can be beneficial by allowing the organization to focus on its basic business operations.
Term
overtime
Definition
Extra pay for extra work, defined as one-and-one-half times an employee
Term
parallel bargaining
Definition
Also known as pattern bargaining, whipsawing, or leapfrogging. Bargaining that occurs when a union negotiates with one of the employers in an industry at a time. Once a contract has been reached with the first employer, the union uses the gains made during the negotiation as a base for negotiating with the next employer.
Term
Pareto chart
Definition
Graphical representation of the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of the problems are caused by 20 percent of the reasons. It points out which areas of concern will provide the greatest return when corrected.
Term
partially self-funded plan
Definition
Employer health and welfare benefit plan that uses stop-loss insurance with a preset maximum coverage amount paid from the claim fund for each participant before the insurance company begins to pay the claim.
Term
participant
Definition
In reference to benefits, someone who is enrolled in a specific benefit program. A participant can also be a member of a union or work team.
Term
part-time employees
Definition
Employees who work less than a regular work week. They can be a cost-effective solution for organizations needing particular skills on an ongoing but not fulltime basis.
Term
party in interest
Definition
Pension plan participant, such as a fiduciary, a person or an entity providing services to the plan, an employer or employee organization, a person who owns 50 percent or more of the business, relatives of any of these, or corporations that are involved with the plan in any of these functions.
Term
passive training method
Definition
Approach that requires learners to listen to and absorb information. These methods are instructor-focused and require little or no active participation from the learner. They include conferences, lectures, and distance learning.
Term
patent
Definition
Exclusive rights granted to an inventor that provides the benefits of an invention for a defined period of time.
Term
pay differential
Definition
Additional compensation for work that is considered beyond the normal work for an organization.
Term
pay openness
Definition
Degree of secrecy that exists in an organization around pay issues such as base pay, increases, and pay for performance.
Term
pay for performance
Definition
Compensation based on individual and organizational results; see also merit increase.
Term
pay range
Definition
In job pricing, the span between the minimum and maximum pay rate (hourly or annual) for all jobs in a particular pay or salary range.
Term
payrolling
Definition
Approach that allows an organization to refer individuals it wants to hire to an agency. The agency hires them to work for the organization and provides payroll and tax services for either a fixed fee or a percentage of the salary, which is generally less than a traditional temp agency fee.
Term
pay structure
Definition
Way in which pay ranges and grades are constructed in an organization.
Term
pedagogy
Definition
Study of how children learn. Education in which a teacher decides what will be taught and how it will be delivered.
Term
peer-review panel
Definition
,Form of alternative dispute resolution in which management and nonmanagement employees trained in company policies, procedures, and work rules hear disputes and make decisions that, depending on the individual program, can be final and binding on both parties to the dispute.
Term
performance appraisal
Definition
Also called performance evaluation or review. Process of reviewing how well employees perform their duties during a specified period, usually one year.
Term
performance-based pay
Definition
Pay that includes merit increases or promotions, based on how an individual employee performs against the company
Term
performance-based philosophy
Definition
Approach to compensation that rewards employees for their accomplishments.
Term
performance-based training (PBT)
Definition
Technique often used to correct performance problems in highly technical or hazardous professions. The trainee is provided with opportunities to practice and demonstrate the necessary skill or knowledge until the required level of proficiency is mastered.
Term
performance management
Definition
Ongoing process of providing feedback to employees about their performance, developing them into increasingly productive contributors to the organization.
Term
permanent arbitrator
Definition
Person who is viewed by the parties to an agreement as fair and impartial and able to resolve any disputes arising between them, and who serves for the life of the contract or defined term.
Term
perquisites
Definition
Additional benefits provided for senior management and executives. Often called perks, they may include generous pension plans, access to a company jet, club memberships, or limousine service.
Term
personal mastery
Definition
One of Peter Senge
Term
PEST analysis
Definition
Also known as a STEP analysis. Scan of the external environment to identify opportunities and threats as part of a SWOT analysis. PEST is an acronym for political, economic, social, and technological factors.
Term
phantom stock
Definition
Stock option plan that provides the benefits of employee ownership without ranting stock. Executives and outside members of the board of directors are the most common recipients.
Term
physical health hazards
Definition
Type of environmental hazard that can cause physical injury, such as excessive noise, extreme temperature, chemical explosion, or poor ergonomic design.
Term
picketing
Definition
Employee demonstration at the entrance to a business to inform customers and the public about disputes or to prevent deliveries to a business that the union is trying to influence in some way.
Term
plan administrator
Definition
In deferred compensation, the person designated by the plan sponsor to manage the plan.
Term
planned retirement
Definition
Retirement that usually occurs when an employee reaches normal retirement age and decides to stop working full time and pursue other interests.
Term
plan sponsor
Definition
In deferred compensation, the entity that establishes the plan. This may be a single employer, a labor organization, or, in the case of a multiemployer plan, a group representing the parties that established the plan.
Term
plant closing
Definition
As defined by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act), 50 or more full-time employees losing their jobs because a single facility shuts down, either permanently or temporarily.
Term
plant patent
Definition
Patent that protects the invention or discovery of asexually reproduced varieties of plants for 20 years.
Term
plateau learning curve
Definition
Graphical representation that begins with a rapid increase in knowledge and then levels off with no additional learning for an extended period of time.
Term
point-factor method
Definition
Job-classification method that provides companies with a system of points that are assigned to the position being evaluated. Based on the total number of points a position receives, a pay grade/range is assigned to the position.
Term
policies
Definition
Broad guidelines developed by the employer to guide organizational decisions.
Term
polycentric staffing
Definition
Global staffing strategy that fills management positions in the host country with home-country nationals and fills corporate positions in the home country with expatriates.
Term
Porter
Definition
According to Michael Porter, forces found in all businesses: new competitors, suppliers, buyers, alternative products available to consumers, and the type and level of industry competition.
Term
positional bargaining
Definition
Also known as distributive bargaining or hard bargaining. Negotiating position in which for one side to gain something, the other side must lose something.
Term
positively accelerating learning curve
Definition
Graphical representation that begins slowly with smaller learning increments but increases in pace with larger increments as learning continues. This curve occurs in situations when the material to be learned is difficult or complex.
Term
positive time reporting
Definition
Method used to record time worked in which employees record actual hours they work and any time they were off from work, paid or unpaid.
Term
predictive validity
Definition
Type of criterion validity that predicts whether a test measurement accurately predicts behavior. A test is given, and the behavior is measured at a later time.
Term
pre-employment testing
Definition
Testing done prior to employment to ascertain a candidate
Term
pre-existing conditions
Definition
Health issues or ailments that affect a patient within 6 months of enrollment in a health plan. Insurers may exclude those conditions from coverage for 12 months or, in the case of a late enrollment, for 18 months.
Term
preliminary order of reinstatement
Definition
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement tool that reinstates an employee who has filed a retaliation claim against an employer before a hearing on the claim takes place. This action is taken when OSHA has a reasonable belief that the violation occurred.
Term
presentation
Definition
Passive training method that provides the same information to a group of people at the same time.
Term
primary research
Definition
Technique that gathers data by using original studies and experiments.
Term
principled bargaining
Definition
Negotiating strategy characterized by parties who are more interested in solving a problem than they are in winning a position. The parties remain open to looking at problems in new ways and brainstorming for ideas and often come up with an agreement that solves the original problem in a way that was not originally contemplated by either side.
Term
prior-petition bar
Definition
When a union withdraws an election petition before the election takes place, bar that prevents National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approval of another election for 6 months.
Term
privacy concern cases
Definition
Cases that allow the substitution of a case number for an employee
Term
private-letter ruling
Definition
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) response to an organization
Term
procedural justice
Definition
Measure of organizational justice in which the employees believe the processes and procedures used to determine pay structures and rewards are fair.
Term
procedures
Definition
Procedures provide details for applying policies to work situations.
Term
process-control chart
Definition
Quality-management tool that provides a graphical representation of elements that are out of the acceptable range by setting parameters above and below the range.
Term
product-based organization structure
Definition
Also known as a customer-oriented organization structure. Organizational structure suitable when product lines are well defined and clearly separate. Each product line reports directly to the CEO and can be centralized or decentralized.
Term
production
Definition
Organizational function responsible for creating the product or service offered to customers. Traditionally, this means manufactured goods, but with the growth of service and information businesses, it has come to include some services as well.
Term
professional employer organization (PEO)
Definition
Firm that operates as the organization
Term
profit sharing
Definition
Qualified, incentive-based program, available in many industries and at all corporate levels, that shares company profits.
Term
programmed instruction
Definition
Also called self-paced training. Forerunner of computer-based training (CBT) in which learners progress from lesson to lesson in a predesigned course of instruction as mastery of the objectives is attained, allowing learners to progress at their own rate.
Term
project management
Definition
Process of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing an assignment that is temporary in nature.
Term
protected classes
Definition
As identified by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. Subsequent legislation added other protected categories, including age and disability, to those protected from discriminatory actions.
Term
protected health information (PHI)
Definition
Identified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as patient information that must be kept private, including physical or mental conditions, health care given, and payments that have been made.
Term
prudent person standard of care
Definition
In relation to fiduciary responsibility over a pension fund, common-law concept that requires all actions on behalf of the fund to be taken with care and due diligence.
Term
public domain
Definition
In the context of copyrighted material, work for which the copyright period has expired or one that was produced as part of the job duties of a federal official.
Term
qualified domestic relations order (QDRO)
Definition
Legal order issued by a state court or other state agency to require pension payments to alternate payees. An alternate payee must be a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a plan participant.
Term
qualified plan
Definition
Pension plan that meets the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requirements and provides tax advantages for both employees and employers. Qualified plans cannot provide benefits for officers, shareholders, supervisors, or other highly compensated employees (HCEs) that exceed benefits for other employees.
Term
qualified stock options
Definition
Stock options taxed at the capital-gains rate when they are exercised, instead of at the ordinary income tax rate. They are riskier for the holder than nonqualified stock options because they must be held for a longer period of time to receive the tax advantage. See also incentive stock options.
Term
qualitative assessment tools
Definition
Subjective evaluations of general observations and information, including various types of judgmental forecasts. These tools can be as simple as an estimate made by a knowledgeable executive or as involved as formalized brainstorming using a Delphi or nominal group technique.
Term
quality control
Definition
One of Juran
Term
quality improvements
Definition
One of Juran
Term
quality planning
Definition
One of Juran
Term
quantitative analysis
Definition
Analysis based on mathematical models that measure historical data. Some of the models used are correlation measures, regression analysis, and measures of central tendency.
Term
quantitative assessment tools
Definition
Objective measures of historical data that are analyzed using a variety of statistical measures. These tools are used to measure trends such as turnover or absenteeism.
Term
question-inconsistency bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer asks different questions of each candidate. Although this is acceptable to a certain extent in order to delve more deeply into each candidate
Term
Rabbi trust
Definition
Also known as a grantor trust. Nonqualified deferred-compensation plan designed to provide retirement income for officers, directors, and highly compensated employees (HCEs).
Term
ranking method
Definition
In the performance-appraisal process, comparison appraisal method in which a manager lists employees from the highest to the lowest performer. In the job-evaluation process, comparison of the value of jobs in an organization to each other.
Term
reaction-evaluation method
Definition
First level of Donald Kirkpatrick
Term
realistic job preview (RJP)
Definition
Accurate picture of a typical day on the job designed to give candidates an opportunity to self-select out if the job is not what they expected it would be.
Term
reasonable accommodation
Definition
As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) workplace facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities or the adjustment of requirements of positions to accommodate qualified persons with disabilities.
Term
reasonable expectation of privacy Standard
Definition
used by courts to evaluate cases involving workplace searches based on factors such as whether a privacy policy was in place and how an employer handled similar situations in the past.
Term
reasonable-suspicion drug testing
Definition
Testing that can be used any time there has been an accident in the workplace or when a supervisor suspects, based on behavior, that an employee is under the influence of drugs.
Term
recency bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer recalls the most recently interviewed candidate more clearly than earlier candidates or a reviewer evaluates an employee only on performance that occurred close to the review.
Term
recognitional picketing
Definition
Picketing that occurs when a union wants an employer to recognize it as the employees
Term
red circle
Definition
Salaries that are higher than the maximum of the salary range.
Term
reduced FMLA leave schedule
Definition
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave in which the employee
Term
reference guide
Definition
Tool used to organize large amounts of data into a single source document such as an employee phone list.
Term
regiocentric staffing
Definition
Global staffing strategy that fills positions in a trade region, such as the European Union, with nationals from countries in that region.
Term
reliability
Definition
Degree to which a test or other measurement produces consistent results over time.
Term
replacement chart
Definition
Tool used at all levels in an organization to categorize employees as ready for promotion, ready to be developed for future promotion, satisfactory in their current position, or needing to be replaced.
Term
reporting premium
Definition
Based on employment agreements or state laws, payment for a minimum number of hours when employees arrive at work for their regularly scheduled shift but there is no work to be done. Not required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Term
request for proposal (RFP)
Definition
Process used to obtain plans and costs from vendors for a specific service or project needed by an organization. A well-constructed RFP serves as the basis on which the product or service is obtained, a means for controlling expenses, a guide to ensure that the delivery meets the organization
Term
resignation
Definition
Employee
Term
respondeat superior Latin for
Definition
Common-law concept that means employers can be held liable for actions of their employees that are performed in the course of their employment and in the scope of their assigned duties or responsibilities
Term
restricted stock
Definition
Stock that is subject to special Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations before it may be sold. It is often awarded to insiders as the result of an acquisition or merger to prevent an adverse impact on the market price of the stock by requiring that it be held for a period of time.
Term
results-evaluation method
Definition
Fourth level of Donald Kirkpatrick
Term
retained-search firm
Definition
Company that sources and recruits individuals for executive positions. A retained search may also be used for hard-to-fill positions, such as those requiring highly specialized skills.
Term
return on investment (ROI)
Definition
Commonly used metric calculated by dividing the benefits realized as a result of a program by the total related direct and indirect costs.
Term
reverse mentor
Definition
Young employee who helps older co-workers understand technology and the culture of the younger generation.
Term
risk acceptance
Definition
Degree to which management may accept a risk if there is a low probability that the risk will occur and/or low consequences that can be easily managed if it does occur.
Term
risk assessment
Definition
Process used to determine how likely it is that an emergency will occur, the cost of an emergency to the business should it occur, and the impact it would have on the ability of the business to continue operations
Term
risk avoidance
Definition
Steps employers take to prevent risk, such as hiring security guards to be on site after business hours.
Term
risk management
Definition
Process of identifying risks and taking steps to ensure that those risks are minimized.
Term
risk mitigation
Definition
Steps employers take to reduce exposure to risks, such as performing audits or safety inspections or reviewing policies for legal compliance.
Term
risk transfer
Definition
Option for managing risk that transfers it to another entity, usually an insurance company.
Term
safety
Definition
Activities that identify possible hazards in the workplace and reduce the likelihood that accidents will happen by correcting the hazard. Management and employees are partners in this process.
Term
Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)
Definition
Program that recognizes small, high-hazard employers that have requested a comprehensive Occupational
Term
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consultation
Definition
corrected any violations, and developed an ongoing safety-management program.
Term
salary survey
Definition
Study of compensation and benefits that is collected by a government agency or private firm to assess current market trends. Salary surveys are commonly provided by a professional services vendor who is responsible for confidentially collecting salary data from companies and compiling it in a format that is usable by the organization.
Term
Salary surveys
Definition
are critical to ensuring that a company
Term
sales
Definition
Organizational function responsible for transferring the product or service from the business to the customer.
Term
salting
Definition
Union-organizing practice used to influence employees in an organization. The union hires an individual to apply for a job and, once hired, to organize employees while working for the organization.
Term
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)
Definition
The 2002 act that mandated business reform through corporate governance and mandated financial disclosures. Established accounting audit standards and oversight.
Term
Scanlon Plan
Definition
Type of gainsharing plan created in the 1930s by Joseph Scanlon to increase productivity and decrease costs through employee involvement. The plan is administered by a committee made up of employees and management and requires that the company
Term
scheduled drug testing
Definition
Testing used to monitor the rehabilitation progress of employees. It has limited value because employees who may be currently using drugs are generally able to stop long enough before the test to clear their systems of the drugs.
Term
scientific method
Definition
Method of primary research with five steps that can be used to analyze and solve HR problems: identify the problem, create a hypothesis, decide a method for testing, collect data, and draw conclusions.
Term
seamless organization
Definition
Organization in which horizontal networks connect people, andfunctions enhance creativity and communication.
Term
seasonal workers
Definition
Employees hired only at times of the year when the workload increases, such as the Christmas shopping season or when it is time to harvest agricultural products.
Term
secondary research
Definition
Research based on information that has been collected or reported by others, such as books or articles by primary researchers, industry standards, or analysis of trends in an organization.
Term
Section 125 plan
Definition
Plan authorized by the Revenue Act of 1978 that allows employees to set aside pretax funds for medical expenses they plan to incur during the calendar year. See also flexible spending account (FSA).
Term
Section 404
Definition
Section of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) that requires organizations to review and test their internal controls, including HR activities that result in financial transactions.
Term
security
Definition
Means of protecting an organization
Term
self-funded plan
Definition
Insurance plan in which the employer creates a claim fund and pays all claims through it. Self-funded plans must conduct annual discrimination tests to ensure that highly compensated employees (HCEs) are not using the plan disproportionately to non-HCEs.
Term
self-study
Definition
Type of active training directed entirely by the learner, who determines what, when, and where learning will occur. It may be based on a defined program and involve a trainer or mentor, but it is controlled by the learner.
Term
seniority-based compensation
Definition
Compensation system in which pay decisions are based on the length of time in the position, typically found in organizations with an entitlement culture.
Term
shared vision
Definition
One of the five elements of Peter Senge
Term
shift premium
Definition
Additional compensation provided for employees who work other than the day shift. It may be paid as a percentage of base pay or factored into the hourly rate.
Term
short-range plans
Definition
Business strategies, goals, or objectives projected to be achieved in 1 year or less.
Term
similar-to-me bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when a candidate has interests or other characteristics that are the same as those of the interviewer and that cause the interviewer to overlook negative aspects about the candidate
Term
simple linear regression
Definition
Quantitative analysis tool used to measure the relationship between one variable (such as staffing) and another (such as production output) to project future needs.
Term
simulation training
Definition
Interactive training method that provides the learner with opportunities to try new skills or practice procedures in a setting that simulates the work environment but does not endanger the inexperienced trainee, co-workers, or the public.
Term
sit-down strike
Definition
Unlawful strike in which employees stop working and stay at the worksite.
Term
skills inventory
Definition
Collection of information about an organization
Term
skill variety
Definition
Ability of an employee to use multiple skill sets to complete a task.
Term
skip-level interview
Definition
Process in which employees are interviewed by their manager
Term
social media
Definition
Interactive online tools and websites used to share personal and professional information. Examples include LinkedIn and Facebook.
Term
sourcing
Definition
Gathering of names and contact information for potential candidates in the active and passive labor markets.
Term
span of control
Definition
Number of employees that one manager can directly supervise.
Term
S-shaped learning curve
Definition
Graphical representation that has characteristics of both positively and negatively accelerating learning curves. Learning initially progresses slowly and then accelerates but begins to slow down again after a period of time.
Term
staff functions
Definition
Functions that are not involved with making operating decisions but are involved with advising line managers.
Term
staffing-needs analysis
Definition
Analysis that determines the numbers and types of jobs needed to achieve business goals successfully and that is the cornerstone of the workforce planning process.
Term
standard operating procedure (SOP)
Definition
Processes that typically follow a sequence of events through the use of definitions, charts and screen shots, allowing uniform application of business activities.
Term
state unemployment insurance (SUI)
Definition
Unemployment insurance for displaced workers, mandated by the Social Security Act (SSA) of 1935. Each state develops its own UI program, so eligibility requirements vary between states, as do the tax rates. The state rates vary between employers as well because states increase or decrease the amount of tax charged to individual employers based on the number of employees who file claims for unemployment during the year.
Term
statement of cash flows
Definition
Financial report that shows how money flows through an organization, including how much cash was a result of sales, how much was spent to produce the products that were sold, how much was borrowed or came in as a result of new capital investments, and how much was invested in assets.
Term
statutory bar
Definition
Bar that prohibits a union-representation election in a bargaining unit when one has been held during the preceding 12-month period.
Term
stereotyping bias
Definition
Bias that occurs when an interviewer or reviewer assumes a candidate has specific traits because they are a member of a particular group.
Term
stock option
Definition
Right to purchase an employer
Term
stop-loss insurance
Definition
Insurance purchased by self-funded employers to prevent a single catastrophic claim from devastating the claim fund. The employer agrees on a preset maximum coverage amount that will be paid from the claim fund for each participant before the insurance company begins to pay the claim.
Term
Strategic Partnership Program
Definition
Means by which businesses and employees participate in solving health and safety problems with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Partnerships currently exist for metal recycling, grain handling, and janitorial contractors, working to develop solutions specific to their businesses.
Term
strategic planning
Definition
Dynamic, systematic way of setting the direction for an organization and developing strategies, tactics, and operational plans that ensure its success.
Term
strategy
Definition
plan for generating revenue that describes how a business will use its strengths to obtain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Term
stratification chart
Definition
Quality-management tool that shows problems in priority order and identifies possible strategies for correcting them.
Term
stress
Definition
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),effect on an employee when job requirements do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker, resulting in harmful physical and emotional responses.
Term
strike
Definition
Decision by a union to stop working.
Term
strike price
Definition
Also known as the grant price. Price at which stock options may be purchased or sold by the holder of the options when they are exercised.
Term
subject matter experts (SMEs)
Definition
Professionals who possess a level of expertise gained through experience and education that qualifies them to ensure the maintenance and documentation of a particular topic or discipline.
Term
substantial limitation
Definition
As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an impairment that prevents or materially restricts an individual from doing activities that are of central importance to most people
Term
succession plan
Definition
Plan that identifies critical positions in an organization and how they will be filled if current incumbents leave.
Term
summative evaluation
Definition
Training evaluation that occurs after training has occurred to measure reactions, learning, and results.
Term
supervisory training
Definition
Training that includes topics related to interactions with employees, such as progressive discipline, performance appraisals, workplace safety, interviewing, and training.
Term
suspension
Definition
Step in the disciplinary process in which an employee is required to be absent from work (with or without pay) for a period of time.
Term
sustainability
Definition
Corporate behavior that minimizes or does not deplete the resources used to achieve an outcome.
Term
swing shift
Definition
Evening shift, with hours from about 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Term
SWOT analysis
Definition
Examination of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing an organization. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors that can be controlled by the organization; opportunities and threats are external factors that may impact an organization
Term
systems thinking
Definition
One of Peter Senge
Term
talent assessment
Definition
Identification of employees whose knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are aligned with what the organization needs to achieve key business initiatives.
Term
talent management
Definition
Uniting of HR functions that build, retain, develop, and manage a workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to lead the organization into the future.
Term
tangible employment action (TEA)
Definition
As defined by the Supreme Court,
Term
target-benefit plan
Definition
Hybrid pension plan with similarities to both a defined-benefit plan and a money-purchase plan.
Term
task identity
Definition
Concept that the effort applied by the worker produces a whole identifiable unit or outcome, as opposed to a single part.
Term
task-level training
Definition
Training that involves processes performed in a single job category.
Term
task significance
Definition
Inherent or perceived value of a job either internally to coworkers or externally to society.
Term
team learning
Definition
One of the Peter Senge
Term
technical/professional labor market
Definition
Source of employees that includes individuals with expertise in a specific skill or discipline, such as human resources or marketing.
Term
telecommuting
Definition
Alternative staffing method that allows employees to work at home, connecting to the office electronically. This has become a viable solution for employees who do not want to commute or who have other reasons to work at home.
Term
temp
Definition
Also known as a temporary employee. Worker employed by an agency that screens and tests candidates prior to sending them to a worksite for variable periods of time, from short, one-day assignments to longer assignments.
Term
temp-to-perm
Definition
Alternative staffing method that allows an organization to observe and evaluate a worker
Term
teratogens
Definition
Chemicals that do not affect a pregnant woman but can harm an unborn child.termination ,When an employee leaves an organization, voluntarily or involuntarily
Term
Theory X and Theory Y
Definition
Two distinct management approaches described by Douglas McGregor.
Term
Theory X
Definition
managers believe employees need constant direction to complete their work and are interested in job security above all else.
Term
Theory Y
Definition
managers believe that, given the opportunity, employees will seek out challenging work and additional responsibility if the work is satisfying.
Term
third-country national (TCN)
Definition
Employee from any country other than the home country or the host country.
Term
third-party administrator (TPA)
Definition
Entity that provides claim-management services for benefit plans such as medical, dental, and vision insurance; pension plans; and Section 125/129 plans.
Term
third-party contract
Definition
Contract under which some part of the transaction is provided by an entity other than those that signed the contract.
Term
time-and-a-half
Definition
Overtime rate specified by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for nonexempt employees who work more than 40 hours per week.
Term
time-series forecast
Definition
Quantitative method of analysis that can be used to measure historic staffing levels and provide a basis from which expected future needs can be calculated.
Term
TIPS
Definition
Acronym used to remind employers of actions to prevent charges of unfair labor practices (ULPs) during unionizing efforts. Employers may not threaten, interrogate, promise, or spy on employees.
Term
tort
Definition
Legal term used to describe an action that injures someone. Torts are not related to laws or contracts but can result in legal action: the party who has been injured can sue the wrongdoer and collect damages for the injury that has been done.
Term
total quality management (TQM)
Definition
Approach that focuses all resources in the organization on providing value for customers.
Term
total rewards philosophy
Definition
The total rewards philosophy is a high-level mission statement used to guide the development and implementation of compensation and benefit programs that attract, motivate, and retain employees.
Term
Total Rewards strategy
Definition
Approach that determines the best way to use available resources in attracting, motivating, and retaining employees.
Term
transactional leadership
Definition
Leadership that focuses on getting the job done by offering rewards in exchange for the accomplishment of an organizational goal.
Term
transfer of training
Definition
Training that occurs when learning that took place away from the regular work environment is applied to the real job situation.
Term
transformational leadership
Definition
Leadership that focuses on building work-group relationships to achieve organizational goals.
Term
trend analysis
Definition
Quantitative analysis method that compares the changes in a single variable over time and, over a period of years, generally moves upward or downward.
Term
tripartite arbitration panel
Definition
Three arbitrators who hear the issues and reach a joint decision regarding disputes.
Term
turnover analysis
Definition
Metric calculated by dividing the average number of total employees for a measurement period by the number of employees who exited the organization during the period.
Term
undue hardship
Definition
Exception to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that weighs the cost of an accommodation against the size of the organization and other similar factors.
Term
unfair labor practice (ULP)
Definition
Action by an employer or a union that restrains or coerces employees from exercising their rights to organize and bargain collectively or to refrain from doing so.
Term
unforeseeable business circumstance ,Exception to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) for employers whose business takes a sudden and unexpected negative turn that could not have been reasonably predicted.
Definition
Term
union shop clause
Definition
Agreement that requires all employees to join the union within a grace period specified by the contract but no fewer than 30 days or, in the construction industry,7 days.
Term
unlawful employment practices
Definition
As defined by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, practices that discriminate against a member of a protected class in recruiting, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, apprenticeship, or any other terms and conditions of employment.
Term
utility patent
Definition
Patent that protects the invention of a machine, a new and useful process, or the manufacture or composition of matter or of new and useful improvements to the same. Utility patents are limited to 20 years.
Term
validity
Definition
Assessment of whether a test is an accurate measure of the characteristics it is supposed to measure.
Term
verbal warning
Definition
First step in a formal disciplinary process. The direct supervisor verbally informs an employee of the performance issue. Verbal warnings must by documented in writing.
Term
vestibule training
Definition
Form of the simulation method that allows inexperienced workers to become familiar with and gain experience using equipment that either is hazardous or requires a level of speed that can be attained only with practice.
Term
vesting
Definition
Point at which employees own the contributions their employer has made to a pension plan on their behalf, whether or not they remain employed with the company. The vesting requirements established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) refer only to funds that are contributed by the employer. Employees are always 100 percent vested in funds they have contributed, but they must earn the right to be vested in the employer
Term
vicarious liability
Definition
Legal concept that holds an employer accountable for the harmful actions of its employees, whether or not the employer is aware of those actions.
Term
virtual training
Definition
Distance training in which participants and instructors are connected by the use of electronic tools such as computers, videos, mobile devices, and simulators.
Term
visual learner
Definition
Person who retains knowledge best when able to see or read the information.
Term
voluntary arbitration
Definition
Arbitration that occurs when both parties to a disagreement agree to submit the conflict to an arbitrator for resolution.
Term
voluntary assumption of risk
Definition
Common-law doctrine that assumes workers who were injured on the job knew the dangers of the job when they took it and assumed the associated risks. The level of pay accepted by the worker reflected the amount of danger involved so the employer had no responsibility when death or injury occurred.
Term
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)
Definition
Tough, established safety program that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) criteria. Employers with such programs are removed from routine scheduled inspection lists.
Term
voluntary recognition bar
Definition
Bar that prevents a union-representation election for a reasonable period of time after an employer has voluntarily recognized a union as the representative for a bargaining unit.
Term
wage compression
Definition
Situation that occurs when new employees are hired at a pay rate that is greater than the incumbent pay for similar skills, education, and experience. This occurs during periods of high economic growth or when certain skill sets are in high demand.
Term
wage garnishment
Definition
Result of a court or government order requiring a portion of an employee
Term
waiting to be engaged
Definition
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) term for noncompensable time spent by nonexempt employees who arrive early or stay late for personal reasons, but have not been asked by the employer to wait for an assignment.
Term
weighted average
Definition
In quantitative analysis, average used to compensate for data that may be out of date; more current data is increased because it better reflects the current situation.
Term
wildcat strike
Definition
Strike that occurs in violation of a contract clause prohibiting strikes during the term of the contract.
Term
workforce analysis
Definition
Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) report that lists job titles from the lowest to highest paid in each work unit.
Term
workplace diversity
Definition
Practice of employing individuals with diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Term
workplace investigation
Definition
Formal report or research into suspected illegal activity or serious violations of company policy taking place in an organization. workplace violence ,Violence that can occur when an employee with poor behavior control becomes highly stressed. The stress may or may not be work related, but it is often set off by an incident in the workplace. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Term
work rules
Definition
What employees may or may not do to comply with a company policy.
Term
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act WARN
Definition
offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers with more than 100 employees to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g., a labor union); to the State dislocated worker unit; and to the appropriate unit of local government.
Term
written warning
Definition
In the second and third stages of the disciplinary process, a written noticereceived by a poorly performing employee that describes disciplinary steps that have already been taken, spells out performance problems and describes the steps needed to improve performance, and lists any agreements that have been made about performance changes.
Term
yellow-dog contract
Definition
Contract used by an employer to prevent employees from joining a union by requiring them to sign an agreement that they were not a member of a union and would not become one in the future, and that joining a union would be sufficient grounds for dismissal in the future. These contracts were prohibited by the Norris-La Guardia Act.
Term
zero-based budget
Definition
Process that analyzes costs from the ground up without relying on previous budgets.
Term
zipper clause
Definition
Also known as totality of agreement. Agreement between the parties to acollective-bargaining agreement (CBA) that the contract is the entire agreement between them and that anything not in it is not part of the agreement. The purpose of this clause is to prevent reopening of negotiations during the term of the contract.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!