30 Day Review
A check-in or performance evaluation held about one month after a new employee starts. It addresses initial questions, concerns, and early progress in the role.
360 Review
A performance appraisal system that incorporates feedback from an employee's subordinates, colleagues, supervisors, and sometimes even customers, providing a "360-degree" view.
60-Day Review
A performance evaluation held about two months after a new employee starts. It provides more substantial feedback than the 30-day check-in as the employee becomes more established.
90-Day Review
A performance evaluation held approximately three months after a new employee's start date. It assesses initial progress, provides feedback, and sets goals for the future.
9/80 Work Schedule
A compressed work schedule where employees work 80 hours over nine days in a two-week period, typically resulting in one eight-hour day off every two weeks.
Absence Management
The process a company uses to reduce employee absenteeism and manage time off requests. It involves policies, tracking systems, and sometimes interventions to address underlying causes.
Absence Rate
A metric that calculates the percentage of scheduled work time that employees are absent. It is used to gauge workforce reliability and identify potential productivity issues.
Absenteeism Policy
A company policy that defines acceptable attendance, outlines procedures for reporting absences, and details the consequences for excessive or unexcused time off.
Action Item
A specific, discrete task or activity that is assigned to an individual or team to complete. It is a concrete step taken to achieve a larger goal or address an issue.
Additional Pay
Any compensation earned by an employee beyond their regular base wages or salary. This includes overtime pay, bonuses, shift differentials, and commissions.
Adverse Impact
A seemingly neutral employment practice that disproportionately affects a protected group (based on race, gender, etc.) and is not job-related. It is a key concept in discrimination law.
Age Discrimination
The illegal practice of treating an employee or job applicant less favorably because of their age. This is prohibited by laws like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
All-Hands Company Meeting
A meeting that includes every employee of an organization, from leadership to individual contributors. Its purpose is to share company-wide news, updates, and foster transparency and unity.
Annualized Salary
The total yearly compensation for an employee, regardless of the number of hours worked. It is often used for part-time or temporary roles to express their earnings as a full-time equivalent figure.
Asbestos Rules and Regulations
Federal and state guidelines (primarily from OSHA) that protect workers from asbestos exposure during renovations or demolitions. They mandate specific training, protective equipment, and handling procedures.
Attrition
The gradual and natural reduction in staff numbers as employees leave (e.g., resign or retire) and are not immediately replaced. It is a passive way to reduce workforce size.
At-Will Employment
A legal doctrine allowing either the employer or employee to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, without advance notice. Most U.S. employment relationships are at-will, though exceptions exist for discrimination, retaliation, or contract violations.
Autism in the Workplace
The practices and policies focused on hiring, supporting, and accommodating employees on the autism spectrum. It often involves creating an inclusive environment that leverages their unique strengths.
Awards and Prizes
Tangible items or monetary rewards given to employees to recognize achievement or performance. These are typically considered taxable income for the recipient.
Background Checks
The process of verifying a job candidate's employment history, education, criminal record, and other relevant information. Must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state laws regarding what can be checked and when.
Base Pay
The initial rate of compensation an employee receives in exchange for services, excluding extra financial benefits. It can be expressed as an hourly wage or an annual salary.
Base Wage Rate
The standard hourly pay rate for a specific job, excluding overtime, bonuses, or other forms of additional pay. It is the foundation for calculating total earnings.
Basic Salary
The fixed amount of money an employee is paid, excluding any bonuses, benefits, or other additional compensation. It is the core earnings before deductions.
Behavioral Interviewing
A hiring technique where candidates are asked to describe past experiences and behaviors to predict their future performance. Questions often start with "Tell me about a time when...".
Benefit Enrollment Form
A document employees use to select their preferred insurance and other company benefits. It authorizes payroll deductions and communicates choices to the benefits provider.
Benefits Manager
An HR professional responsible for researching, selecting, and administering an organization's employee benefits programs. They manage health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks.
Bereavement Leave
Paid or unpaid time off granted to an employee following the death of a close family member. It allows the employee time to grieve and handle arrangements.
Biweekly Pay
A pay schedule where employees are paid every two weeks, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. It is one of the most common pay frequencies.
Blended Workforce
A workforce that consists of a mix of full-time employees and contingent workers, such as freelancers, contractors, and temporary staff. This offers flexibility and specialized skills.
Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)
A rare exception that allows an employer to discriminate based on religion, gender, or national origin if it is essential to the job's function (e.g., a men's locker room attendant).
Boomerang Employee
An employee who voluntarily leaves an organization and is later rehired by the same employer. They often return with new skills and perspective.
Break Time/Meal Periods
Required rest and meal breaks that employers must provide to employees, varying by state law. Typically includes short paid breaks (15 minutes) and longer unpaid meal periods (30+ minutes) during shifts.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
A policy that allows employees to use their personal smartphones, laptops, and tablets for work purposes. It outlines security requirements and acceptable use guidelines.
Capacity Planning
Capacity planning is the process of determining how much work your organization can accomplish. Given your total number of employees, their available hours, and their skill sets, you match that capacity to your actual workload demands to prevent understaffing, overstaffing, and employee burnout.
Career Path
A planned sequence of jobs and roles within an organization that an employee can progress through. It outlines potential advancement opportunities and the skills needed to get there.
Carryover (PTO)
A policy that allows employees to transfer a portion of their unused paid time off from one year to the next. Not all companies permit PTO carryover.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
A credential for payroll practitioners, demonstrating expertise in all aspects of payroll management, regulations, and compliance. It is offered by the American Payroll Association.
Clopening
The scheduling for an employee who performs closing one day then opening the subsequent shift on the next day, providing the least gap between shifts.
COBRA Insurance
A federal law that allows employees and their families to continue their group health insurance coverage for a limited time after losing their job or experiencing another qualifying event.
Commuter Benefits
Company-provided assistance for employee transportation costs, including transit passes, parking allowances, bike sharing programs, or shuttle services. Helps offset return-to-office costs and can provide tax advantages for both employers and employees.
Company April Fool's Day Party
A light-hearted workplace event or activities centered around April Fool's Day. It aims to boost morale and encourage fun and camaraderie among employees.
Company Christmas Party
An annual holiday event for employees to socialize and celebrate the year's achievements. It is a common form of employee appreciation and morale boosting.
Company Core Values
The fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that dictate behavior and decision-making within an organization. They define the company's culture and identity.
Company Culture Change
The process of intentionally transforming the shared values, behaviors, and practices within an organization. It is often driven by leadership to support new business goals.
Company Diversity
The practice of including people from a variety of social and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations within a workforce. It focuses on the composition of the workforce.
Company Events
Organized activities, either social or work-related, that bring employees together outside of normal work tasks. Examples include parties, retreats, and volunteer days.
Company Goals
The specific, measurable objectives an organization aims to achieve within a set timeframe. They provide direction and focus for employees and departments.
Company Halloween Party
A workplace event where employees may dress in costume and celebrate Halloween. It is a fun team-building activity that fosters a social work environment.
Company History
The record of a company's past events, development, and milestones. It provides context for its current culture and can be a source of brand identity and pride.
Company Independence Day Celebration
A workplace event, such as a party or picnic, held to celebrate the 4th of July holiday in the U.S. It is a common employee appreciation activity.
Company Labor Day Celebration
A workplace event recognizing the contributions of workers, often held around the Labor Day holiday. It can be a party or an acknowledgment of employee efforts.
Company Mission
A statement that defines an organization's core purpose, what it does, who it serves, and how it does it. It is more focused on the present than a vision statement.
Company Purpose
An organization's reason for existing beyond making a profit. It is its fundamental mission and the impact it seeks to have on the world or its community.
Company Reporting Structure
The formal layout of authority, communication, and responsibility within an organization. It is often visualized as an organizational chart showing who reports to whom.
Company Valentine's Day Party
A workplace event held around February 14th to celebrate employees and foster camaraderie. It is a team-building activity that shows appreciation.
Company Veterans Day Celebration
A workplace event or acknowledgment held to honor military veterans within the company and their service. It shows respect and appreciation for their contributions.
Company Vision
A forward-looking statement that describes what an organization aspires to be or achieve in the future. It provides long-term direction and inspiration for employees.
Compensable Time
Any time during which an employee is "suffered or permitted" to work, for which they must be paid. This includes all hours worked, whether authorized in advance or not.
Compensation
The total rewards an employee receives in exchange for their work. It includes base pay, bonuses, benefits, and any other monetary or non-monetary value provided.
Compensation Philosophy
A formal statement that outlines an organization's stance on how it values and rewards employees. It guides decisions about pay scales, bonuses, and benefits to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
Compensation Strategy
A company's planned approach to how it pays and rewards its employees. It aligns pay structures with business goals, market rates, and organizational culture to attract and retain talent.
Compensatory Leave ("Comp Time")
Paid time off granted to employees instead of overtime pay. In the private sector, this is generally illegal for non-exempt employees under the FLSA.
Conditions of Employment
The terms, rules, and requirements that govern the relationship between an employer and an employee. This includes policies, job responsibilities, and compensation details.
Corporate Culture
The shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize members of an organization. It defines the environment in which employees work.
Culture Audit
A systematic analysis of an organization's culture, including its values, norms, and practices. It identifies strengths and gaps between the current and desired culture.
Culture Committee
A group of employees tasked with promoting and strengthening the company's desired culture. They plan events, initiatives, and communications related to core values.
DEI
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. At its core, it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to do their best work. It’s not just a policy you tick off. It’s a mindset shift that shapes how people hire, lead, collaborate, and grow together.
DEI Training
Educational programs designed to help employees understand and embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles. The goal is to reduce bias and create a more respectful and fair workplace.
Dependent Care Benefits
Employer-provided benefits that help employees pay for the care of their dependents (children or disabled adults) while they are at work. A common example is a Dependent Care FSA.
Depression in the Workplace
The recognition and management of depression as a medical condition that can affect employees. It involves creating a supportive environment and complying with ADA requirements for accommodations.
Desk Hoteling
A reservation-based system where employees book specific desks or workspaces in advance through scheduling software. More structured than hot desking, allowing employees to plan their office days while optimizing space utilization for companies with hybrid workforces.
Deskless Workers
Employees who don't have a traditional desk or computer as their primary workspace, such as field service technicians, retail staff, warehouse workers, and mobile service providers. Represent about 80% of the global workforce but often receive less technology investment than office workers.
Digital Nomad Policy
Company guidelines for employees who want to work while traveling or living in different locations for extended periods. Addresses visa requirements, tax implications, work hours across time zones, and technology/security requirements for international remote work.
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
A document an employee signs to authorize their employer to deposit their net pay directly into their designated bank account(s). It is the standard method of payment.
Direct Reports
The employees who report directly to a specific manager or supervisor. This manager has immediate authority and responsibility for those individuals' work.
Disability Awareness Training
Training designed to educate employees about disabilities, reduce stigma, and promote an inclusive workplace. It often covers etiquette, legal responsibilities, and accommodation processes.
Disability Discrimination
Treating a qualified individual unfavorably because of a disability. It is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations.
Disability Leave
A leave of absence taken by an employee due to a disabling illness or injury. It may be covered under the FMLA, state law, short-term disability insurance, or ADA accommodations.
Diversity Workplace Events
Events or activities designed to celebrate and promote diversity within an organization. Examples include cultural heritage celebrations, guest speakers, and training workshops.
Drug-Free Workplace
A workplace that has policies and programs in place to discourage and prevent employee substance abuse. This may include testing, education, and assistance programs.
Drug Test Consent Form
A document an employee signs to give their employer permission to conduct a drug or alcohol test. It is a standard part of pre-employment screening or reasonable suspicion testing.
Duties Test
One of the criteria used under the FLSA to determine if an employee is exempt from overtime pay. It evaluates the primary duties of the job to see if they are executive, administrative, professional, or outside sales duties.
Easter Company Party
A workplace event or celebration held around the Easter holiday. It is a social activity aimed at building team morale and showing appreciation for employees.
EEO-1 Form
An annual data collection requiring covered employers to submit workforce demographic information categorized by race, ethnicity, sex, and job category. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission uses this data to monitor employment patterns, identify potential discrimination, and support civil rights enforcement.Officially "Employer Information Report EEO-1, Component 1".
EEO Statement
A brief declaration that an organization does not discriminate in employment decisions based on protected characteristics like race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. These statements typically appear in job postings, employee handbooks, and company websites. Federal contractors and subcontractors are required to include EEO statements in all job postings, while other employers include them voluntarily to demonstrate commitment to fair hiring practices and attract diverse candidates.
Electronic Signature Software
Technology that allows a person to electronically sign a document, providing a legal equivalent of a handwritten signature. It is used for HR forms, offers, and contracts.
Employee Benefits
Non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their normal salaries. Common examples include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Employee Birthdays
Workplace acknowledgments or celebrations of employees' birthdays. This is a common, simple form of recognition that can boost morale and show appreciation.
Employee Burnout
A state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion combined with doubts about one's competence and the value of their work. It is often caused by prolonged or excessive stress.
Employee Database
A digital system (often an HRIS) used to store, manage, and track all employee-related data, such as personal information, job details, salary, and performance history.
Employee Directory
A list of all employees within an organization, typically including names, job titles, departments, and contact information. It facilitates internal communication and connection.
Employee Discipline
The process of correcting undesirable employee behavior or performance issues. It often follows a progressive system, starting with verbal warnings and potentially leading to termination.
Employee Emergency Contact Form
A form employees complete to provide the names and contact information of people to be notified in case they have a medical or other emergency at work.
Employee/Employer Flexibility
A work arrangement that allows for adaptability in how, when, or where work gets done. This includes flexible schedules, remote work, and compressed workweeks.
Employee Empowerment
A management practice of sharing information, rewards, and power with employees so they can take initiative and make decisions. It increases investment in the company's success.
Employee Engagement
The emotional commitment an employee has to the organization and its goals. Engaged employees care about their work and are more productive and less likely to leave.
Employee Engagement Software
Digital platforms that measure and improve how connected, motivated, and committed employees feel toward their work and organization. These tools typically include surveys, pulse checks, recognition features, and analytics to boost retention and productivity.
Employee Evaluation
A formal assessment of an employee's job performance over a specific period. Also known as a performance review, it is used to provide feedback, set goals, and determine compensation changes.
Employee Experience (EX)
The sum of all interactions an employee has with their employer, from hiring to exit. It encompasses culture, workspace, technology, and the work itself.
Employee File
A collection of records related to an individual's employment. It typically contains their application, resume, offer letter, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions.
