Human Resource Management (HRM) Related Definitions

Human Resource Management 

Human Resource Management or HRM definitions at a glance:

Term	Definition
Disparate treatment:	Situation that exists when protected-class members are treated differently from others
Distributive bargaining	A competitive, confrontational bargaining strategy
Distributive justice:	The perceived fairness in the distribution of outcomes
Distributive justice:	Perceived fairness in the distribution of outcomes
Diversity:	The differences among people
Diversity:	The differences among people
Documentation	Used as a record of the performance appraisal process outcomes
Downsizing	An activity in an organization aimed at creating greater efficiency by eliminating certain jobs
Draw:	An amount advanced from and repaid to future commissions earned b the employee
Drug-free Workplace Act	Requires specific government-related groups to ensure that their workplace is drug free
Due process:	Means used for individuals to explain and defend their actions against charges or discipline
Duty:	A larger work segment composed of several tasks that are performed by an individual
Dysfunctional tension	Tension that leads to negative stress
Early retirement	A downsizing effort whereby employees close to retirement are given some incentive to leave the company earlier than expected
Economic strike	An impasse that results from labor and management’s ability to agree on the wages, hours, terms, and conditions of a “new” contract
Economic value added (EVA):	A firm’s net operating profit after the cost of capital is deducted
Effort-performance relationship	The likelihood that putting forth the effort will lead to successful performance on the job
E-learning:	The use of the Internet or an organizational intranet to conduct training on-line
Employee assistance program:	One that provides counseling and other help to employees having emotional, physical, or other personal problems
Employee benefits	Membership-based, nonfinancial rewards offered to attract and keep employees
Employee counseling	A process whereby employees are guided in overcoming performance problems
Employee development	Future-oriented training, focusing on the personal growth of the employee
Employee handbook	A booklet describing the important aspects of employment an employee needs to know
Employee leasing	Hiring “temporary” employees for long periods of time
Employee monitoring	An activity whereby the company is able to keep informed of its employees’ activities
Employee referrals	A recommendation from a current employee regarding a job applicant
Employee Retirement Income Security Act	Law passed in 1974 designed to protect employee retirement benefits
Employee rights	A collective term dealing with varied employee protection practices in an organization
Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP):	A plan whereby employees gain stock ownership in the organization for which they work
Employee training	Present-oriented training, focusing on individuals’ current jobs
Employment “test”:	Any employment procedure used as the basis for making an employment-related decision
Employment contract:	Agreement that formally outlines the details of employment
Employment legislation	Laws that directly affect the hiring, firing, and promotion of individuals
Employment-at-will (EAW):	A common law doctrine stating that employers have the right to hire, fire, demote, of promote whomever they choose, unless there is a law or contract to the contrary
Encapsulated development:	Situation in which an individual learns new methods and ideas in a development course and returns to a work unit that is still bound by old attitudes and methods
Encounter stage	The socialization stage where individuals confront the possible dichotomy between their organizational expectations and reality
Environmental influences	Those factors outside the organization tat directly affect HRM operations
Environmental scanning:	Process of studying the environment of the organization to pinpoint opportunities and threats
Equal employment opportunity (EEO):	Individuals should have equal treatment in all employment-related actions
Equal Pay Act	Passed in 1963, this act requires equal pay for equal work
Equity:	The perceived fairness of what the person does compared with what the person receives
Equity:	The perceived fairness between what a person does and what the person receives
Ergonomics:	The study and design of the work environment to address physiological and physical demands on individuals
Essay appraisal	A performance appraisal method whereby an appraiser writes a narrative about the employee
Essential job functions:	Fundamental duties of a job
Essential job functions:	Fundamental duties of a job
Establishment phase	A career stage in which one begins to search for work.  It includes getting one’s first job
Executive Order 10988	Affirmed the right of federal employees to join unions and granted restricted bargaining rights to these employees
Executive Order 11491	Designed to make federal labor relations more like those in the private sector.  Also established the Federal Labor Relations Council
Exempt employees:	Employees to whom employers are not required to pay overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Exit interview:	An interview in which individuals are asked to identify reasons for leaving the organization
Expatriates	Individuals who work in a country in which they are not citizens of that country
Exploration phase	A career stage that usually ends in one’s mid-twenties as one makes the transition from school to work
External dimension	Te objective progression of steps through a given occupation
Extinction	The elimination of any reinforcement that maintains behavior
Extranet:	An Internet-linked network that allows employees access to information provided by external entities
Fact-finder	A neutral third-party individual who conducts a hearing to gather evidence and testimony from the parties regarding the differences between them
Factor comparison method	A method of job analysis in which job factors are compared to determine the worth of the job
Fair Credit Reporting Act	Requires an employer to notify job candidates of its intent to check into their credit
Fair Labor Standards Act	Passed in 1938, this act established laws outlining minimum wage, overtime pay, and maximum hour requirements for most U.S. workers
Family and Medical Leave Act	Federal legislation that provides employees up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave each year to care for family members, or for their own medical reasons
Family-friendly benefits	Flexible benefits that are supportive of caring for one’s family
Family-friendly organization	Organizations that provide benefits that support employees’ caring for their families
Federal agency guidelines	Guidelines issued by federal agencies charged with ensuring compliance with equal employment federal legislation explaining recommended employer procedures in detail
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service	A government agency that assists labor and management in settling their disputes
Federation:	Group of autonomous national and international unions
Feedback:	The amount of information received about how well or how poorly one has performed