HRCI Glossary of Terms A-N

Employee appraisal data gathered from internal and external sources (such as peers, subordinates, supervisors, customers and suppliers); also known as multi-rater feedback.

Not coming to work because of illness or personal problems; many companies calculate the rate of absenteeism of their employees, which is the average number of days they do not come to work.

An obligation to accept responsibility for one’s actions.

An accounting method that recognizes a company’s financial performance by recording income and expenses at the time a transaction occurs, rather than when a payment is received or an invoice is paid.

The business or organization that is buying another business.

A process in which one organization buys another organization.

A communication method that a listener uses to interpret and evaluate
information from a speaker.

A solution to a specific problem that is not planned, or cannot be used
in other situations.

A U.S. law that prevents an organization or person from discriminat-
ing against an employee because of physical or mental disabilities.

A process for designing training programs that has 5 steps: analysis,
design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

A method for resolving a disagreement without going through formal
legal procedures.

Supporting an idea or cause, influencing outcomes.

An activity designed to correct previous inequality that may have existed for certain groups or classes of people.

To place in a line or arrange in a similar way.

A partnership between organizations that helps both sides.

Money for a specific purpose.

A way to set the standard score for
passing a test.

To challenge an official decision (for example, in court.)

Assessments of the value or performance of something (example: job
appraisals.)

A person learning a trade or skill from a qualified person for a specific
length of time.

The process of coming to an agreement about something without
using a judge or court.

A system of tests and interviews that evaluate employee performance
and help companies select the right people for jobs positions.

A person who is on (or will go on) an international work assignment.

A job, usually in a new location.

The process of becoming a member of a team, organization, or culture.

A teaching method where the students and teachers are online at
different times.

Computer software that helps an organization recruit employees.

The number of employees that leave the organization for any of the following reasons: resignation, termination, end of agreement, retire- ment, sickness, or death.

Someone with extensive knowledge of a specific subject; a person in a
superior position.

Gathering data to determine the accuracy of a candidate’s experience and records during employment screening. For example, verifiying personal data, checking credentials, determining any criminal activity.

A method or tool that organizations use to measure the success of
their strategies by looking at both financial and non-financial areas.

A way to set the salary and living allowances for employees on interna-
tional assignments.

Compensation that does not include benefits, bonuses or commissions.

Interview process to predict future performance based upon how the candidate acted in past work situations.

A basis for judging or measuring something else.

A person who is eligible to gain benefits under a will, insurance policy,
retirement plan, or other contract.

Workers’ entitlements in addition to base salary. Examples include: health insurance, life insurance, disability pay, retirement pension, and so on.

Compensation that the employee receives in addition to a base salary. Examples include: health insurance; company housing; company meals; clothing allowance; pensions; and gym membership.

The methods, processes, or activities that have proven to produce
outstanding results for organizations.

“A shortened term for “biographical data””: information about a per-
son’s education, background, and work history.”

A brief period in which employees cannot access or change things
about their retirement or investment plans.

A learning method that combines face-to-face teaching with online
learning.

When smart and talented people leave their own country for better
opportunities.

A method in which individuals or groups spontaneously find solutions
to a problem.

Analyzing and classifying, such as an analysis of revenue sources or a
report on attrition numbers.

A collapse, such as a communication or equipment failure.

Discussions which provide detailed information.

Reuse of land previously used for industry or manufacturing.

A specific area of an organization, such as marketing, accounting, or
production.

Acquiring backing or sponsorship from a person or group.

An employee’s progress through each stage in his or her career.

Job advancement through a series of defined positions, from lower
level to higher level.

Preparing, implementing, and monitoring the career path of employ- ees, with a focus on the goals and needs of the organization.

Taking steps to improve professional skills and create new opportuni-
ties.

Goals that an organization sets at a high level, which flow down as goals for departments, and then become goals for specific people.

“A visual tool to organize factors that contribute to certain outcomes;
also called a “fishbone”” diagram.”

A set of ethical principles developed for global organizations by the Caux Round Table, a group of global business leaders from around the world.

A team or division that uses best practices within specific area to achieve business goals.

A measure of the middle of a statistical distribution of data.

Confirmation of specific achievements or characteristics given by an
authority, usually by issuing a certificate or diploma after a test.

The sequence of power in an organization, from the top to the next
levels of authority.

A person or department that deliberately causes change within an
organization.

Regulations set by countries or legislative groups about the rights of
people (different from common laws, which are set by judges.)

A part of a document, agreement, proposal, or contract that gives
more detail.

Using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to access, manage, and process data, rather than using a local server.

A method of developing specific skills in which a coach gives informa-
tion and objective feedback to a person or group.

A written description of the principles, behaviors, and responsibilities
that an organization expects of its employees.

An organizational structure in which employees share responsibility
for the operation of a company.

Thinking skills and mental abilities.

Negotiations between countries about policies on international trade
or investment.

Laws established by court decisions and legal precedence (different from civil laws, which are regulations set by nations or legislative groups.)

An international job that requires an employee to live in one country and work in another country, and to travel regularly between them (for example, an expatriate who lives in Bahrain and works in Saudi Arabia.)

A number comparing a person’s salary to other salaries for the same job; the comparison ratio is calculated by taking a person’s salary and comparing it to the mid-point of other salaries (if a person earns $45,000 per year in a job where the salary mid-point is $50,000 per year, the compa-ratio is $45,000/$50,000 = 90%)

Everything that an employee receives for working, including pay and
non-monetary benefits.

The skills, behaviors, and knowledge that are needed to succeed in a
specific job.

A list of the behaviors, skills, and knowledge needed to do well in a specific job.

Pay based on the skills and knowledge that make an employee valu- able to an organization.

The steps that employees must follow when they want to express their concerns about work-related issues to their employer.

Following established laws, guidelines, or rules.

To obey requests, laws, or guidelines.

Method of negotiating agreements or solving problems.

Combining separate companies, functional areas, or product lines; in finance, combining the assets, equity, liabilities, and operating accounts of a company with those of its subsidiaries.

A person who is hired part-time to work under a contract or for a
fixed period of time.

A production method in which one company hires another company to manufacture parts or goods under its label and according to its specifications.

The skills or knowledge that an organization or employee needs to do
its work.

A practice in which organizations take steps to improve their employ- ees’ lives and the communities in which they operate.

The values, language, rules, procedures, expectations, and processes that affect how employees of an organization think, act, and view the world.

A business philosophy in which an organization helps to improve social and environmental problems.

A business practice in which the employees of a company work with an outside organization to perform a service.

The amount of money needed to recruit a new employee, which includes advertising, recruiting fees, referral fees, travel expenses, and relocation costs.

A financial review of various options to determine if the benefits are
greater than the costs.

Method of saving money by divding the costs of a program, project, or business operation.

An increase or decrease in pay based upon changes in economic con- ditions in a geographic location or country.

Proof of a person’s earned authority, status, or rights, usually in writ- ing (for example, a university diploma, or proof of passing a profes- sional exam.)

A test, standard, or rule on which something is judged or measured.

Taking place across the geographic boundaries of 2 or more countries (for example, cross-border trade.)

An employee who works across geographic boundaries, such as an international business traveler or a short- or long-term international assignee.

Involving 2 or more cultures (such as national, regional, or profession- al cultures.)

Programs that provide information to help a person live and work successfully in a different culture (for example, teaching about cultural values, beliefs and practices, communication styles, business proto- cols, and daily living resources.)

Teaching employees the skills and responsibilities of other positions in the company to increase their effectiveness and to provide greater staffing flexibility in the organization.

Giving support and suggestions to help employees achieve greater success with different cultures.

A person’s ability to function in multi-cultural situations and to inter- act appropriately with people from different backgrounds.

The difference between a person’s native culture and a new culture, and the degree of difficulty in adjusting to the new culture.

The values and beliefs that shape a specific group of people (for exam- ple, organizational culture, national culture, generational culture, and professional culture.)

The disorientation a person feels when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country.

Extra pay that employees receive for working in dangerous jobs or places (for example, environments that are hazardous or politically unstable.)

The average number of days it takes to hire someone for open job
positions.

A human resources position that works only on HR responsibilities within an organization.

A method of reasoning that forms a conclusion from general infor- mation; the opposite of inductive reasoning, where a conclusion is formed from particular facts.

A pension program which allows an employee to contribute a portion of income over time to be paid as a lump sum at retirement when the employee’s income tax rate will be lower.

A retirement plan that tells participants exactly how much money they will receive on a specific later date (usually the day they retire.)

A retirement plan that tells participants exactly how much money they will receive on a specific later date (usually the day they retire.)

A retirement plan that tells participants exactly how much money they will receive on a specific later date (usually the day they retire.)

A method of forecasting where a group of experts provide individual
opinions which are later shared in order to reach a more objective decision.

Statistics about groups of people that give information such as age,
gender, income, and ethnic background.

Something intended for a specific person or purpose.

Something that has happened, or the act of making or improving
something.

Intending to teach or demonstrate.

“Change in value of one item compared to another (for example, a “cost-of-living differential”” is the difference between the price of goods bought in the home country compared to the price of similar goods in the host country).”

A physical or mental condition that limits, but does not prevent, the performance of certain tasks (for example, a person who is blind or deaf .)

Resolving conflict between people or groups (for example, lawsuits,
arbitration, and mediation.)

A method of education that uses TV, audio or video tapes, computers, and the Internet, instead of traditional classroom teaching, where students are physically present with their teacher.

A method of training that allows instructors, students, and content
to be located in different places. This type of training can be used together with a traditional classroom or it can be used to create virtual classrooms.

A combination of various people working together, often with differ-
ences in culture, race, generation, gender, or religion divestiture.

Property which an organization sells or gives to another organization.
For example, a company sells a business unit.

Managing employee data and records as required by the organization
or rule or law.

An organization that does business and is based in the country where it is established, unlike a multinational organization, which does busi- ness in more than one country.

A chart that shows relationships between variables “a graph with a vertical and horizontal axis with dots at each data
point. Also called a “scatter plot”” or “dot chart.””

A decrease in a company’s workforce to create efficiency and profit- ability.

Information that is conveyed by upper management to lower level employees in the organization.

To push or move forward a plan or project.

The gathering and analysis of important information related to a business acquisition or merger, such as assets and liabilities, contracts, and benefit plans.

In the U.S., the way a government enforces its laws to protect its citi-
zens (for example, guaranteeing a person a fair trial.)

Services and counseling that employees receive to help them solve
problems that could affect their work productivity. Examples include counseling for drug or alcohol problems or family issues.

Giving monetary value to environmental factors (for example, the
quality of air and water, which are not normally part of a financial valuation.)

A method of education where students attend classes on a computer or
the internet.

To be qualified to participate in a program or apply for a job.

Services and counseling that employees receive to help them solve
problems that could affect their work productivity. Examples include counseling for drug or alcohol problems or family issues.

Payments or allowances that organizations give to their employees
(for example, medical insurance, social security taxes, pension contri- butions, education reimbursement, and car or clothing allowances.)

A measurement of employees’ involvement, satisfaction, happiness, and loyalty with their employment (how hard they work and how long they stay with their organization.)

A manual that contains information about an organization’s policies, procedures, and benefits.

Interaction between employees and an organization (for example, communications, conflict resolution, compliance with legal regulations, career development, and performance measurement.)

An organization’s techniques to keep its employees.

A trend in human resources management that allows employees to handle many job-related tasks (such as updates to their personnel data) using technology.

A tax-qualified benefit plan with defined contributions that allows
employees to own shares in a company.

The percentage of a company’s employees that must be replaced at any time.

The image an organization presents to its employees, stakeholders, and
customers.

An organization that people want to work for because it attracts, moti-
vates, and keeps good employees.

Benefits that an organization gives its employees in addition to salary (for example, medical insurance, payments to retirement funds, allow- ances for cars or clothing.)

An employment agreement in which an employee can quit, or can be fired, at any time and for any reason.

“process of turning an organization into an “employer of choice.”

The ability for employees to manage their work, share information,
and make decisions without close supervision.

Computer software that combines information from all areas of an organization (such as finance, human resources, operations, and ma- terials), and also manages contact with people outside the organiza- tion (such as customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.)

The management of products and processes that show concern for health, safety, and the environment.

Acquiring and using information about the internal and external business environments that influence an organization’s strategy. For example, determining how to respond to a talent shortage.

A U.S. law that guarantees equal treatment and respect for all employees equity compensation.

Non-cash payment that represents an ownership interest in a company (for example, stock options and restricted stock.)

An agreement for a person or organization to own part of a company
by providing start-up funds to the new business.

Designed to be comfortable and avoid injuries (for example, an ergo-
nomic chair or keyboard.)

Computer software that combines information from all areas of an organization (such as finance, human resources, operations, and ma- terials), and also manages contact with people outside the organiza- tion (such as customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.)

A tax-qualified benefit plan with defined contributions that allows
employees to own shares in a company.

An employee’s main responsibilities or tasks to succeed in a job.

Filling important positions in an international organization by choosing new hires from the country where the organization has its headquarters.

The belief that one’s own culture is the center of everything and other
cultures are less effective or less important.

The ability to recognize different values and behaviors as cultural and not universal.

A U.S. term which describes employees who work however many hours are necessary to perform the tasks of their position. They do not receive overtime pay, unlike hourly workers.

An interview that HR has with an employee to get feedback about the
job the employee held, the work environment, and the organization.

“An employee who has been transferred from their country of citizen- ship (“home country””) to live and work in another country (“host country”.)

A position in one country which is filled by a person from another
country who moves there to live and work.

Things that occur outside of an organization that might affect its finan- cial health, employees, products, services, or customers (for example, political, economic, or environmental challenges.)

Laws from one country that apply to that country’s citizens when they travel or live in countries where they might be exempt from some lo- cal laws. Similar exceptions can apply to companies operating abroad.

Being exempt from the laws of the foreign country in which one is
living (for example, foreign diplomats.)

Work or actions where the motivating factors are material and are
measured through monetary benefits, grades, prizes, and praise.

Interacting while in the presence of another person, as opposed to on
the telephone, a webinar, or e-mail.

Research and analysis to determine if a project will succeed.

In the U.S., laws that apply in every state (as opposed to laws unique
to every state.)

The ability of an organization to achieve financial goals, growth, and
stability, while also paying expenses and debt.

A work schedule that allows changes in the beginning and end of the
work day without reducing the number of hours worked per week.

A performance measurement system which ranks employees against each other and according to pre-determined categories such as excel- lent, good, or poor.

Analyzing the probablility of future outcomes to help lessen uncertainty.

When a law of an organization’s home country does not apply because it is in conflict with laws of the country where the organization is doing business.

An overseas investment in structures, equipment, or property con- trolled by a foreign corporation.

Extra pay that an employee receives for accepting an international work assignment.

A company that is more than 50% owned or controlled by a parent organization in another country.

The degree to which processes and procedures define job functions
and organizational structure forum shopping.

The practice of trying to get a trial held in a location that is most likely to produce a favorable result.

Selling a license for the use of a trademark, product, or service in order to do business a certain way and receiving ongoing payment for the license.

Payments that the employee receives, other than or in addition to a salary, such as health insurance.

“An organization that has two parts: one part that focuses on the customers and the market (the “front””), and one part that develops products and services (the “back”.)

A percentage comparing the number of hours that an organization’s part-time employees work to the number of hours that full-time employees work.

A percentage comparing the number of hours that an organization’s part-time employees work to the number of hours that full-time employees work.

A department in which people have similar specialties or skills (for
example, the accounting or IT department in an organization.)

The human resources role within an organization that focuses on strategy, recruitment, management, and the direction of the people in the organization.

A department or division where people have similar specialties or skills (for example, the accounting or IT department in an organization.)

An anlaysis process which helps an organization compare its actual performance with its potential performance.

“A perception based on observations (for example, “Americans are usually friendly””). Different from a stereotype (for example, “All Americans are friendly”.)

The practice of choosing the best employees for a job, regardless of
their nationality or where the job is located.

An organizational model in which divisions, functions, or depart-
ments are organized by location in a specific country or region.

An outline of how a company expects employees to behave around the
world, often intended to prevent bribery and corruption.

Working to promote an effective combination of different people, products, services, and systems throughout the world.

A perspective that helps people understand and function successfully
in a range of cultures, markets, and organizations.

The transfer of employees from one part of the world to another.

An organization that views the whole world as one market, and does not divide it into separate markets by country.

The process of identifying the number and type of employees an orga-
nization needs worldwide, and searching for the best candidates.

A voluntary set of rules to help a organization advance human rights
and equality.

Actions an organization takes to make sure it has employees with the right skills to accomplish its worldwide goals.

A group of employees who are working on the same project but who are located in different countries or come from different cultures.

Changes in society and the world as a result of economic trade and cultural exchange.

“Characteristic of a company that “thinks globally, but acts locally””; when a company has a strong presence both in its own country and around the world.”

A method for determining the salary of an employee on an interna- tional assignment; the salary is based on pay rates in the employee’s home country.

System of rules and processes an organization creates in order to com- ply with local and international laws, accounting rules, ethical norms, and environmental and social codes of conduct.

A method of giving employees a numerical rating for having certain
traits (for example, being reliable or honest.)

Start up of a new business plant or operation, usually in a new location.

A cause of distress that can lead to an official complaint (for example, difficult work conditions) grievance procedure.

The steps that employees must follow when they want to express their concerns about work-related issues to their employer.

A practice in which a company increases an expatriate’s base pay in or- der to cover the additional taxes the expatriate owes because of extra benefits and overseas allowances.

A decision process in which a group of people agree to a decision or
come to the same conclusion.

The transfer of the positive qualities of a person or thing to related
people or things.

Extra payment or benefits that an expatriate receives on assignment in
a country where the living and working conditions are challenging.

“situations in a country that cause political or economic uncertainty that make it challenging for expatriates to live and work. Often, expa- triates receive extra “hardship pay””

The number of employees an organization has on its payroll.

An informal name for an employment recruiter, sometimes referred to
as an executive search firm.

The practice of recruiting employees from one company to work at
another company.

Company sponsored medical plans which help employees pay for the
cost of doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, and so on.

Expenses such as maintenance, supplies, training,upgrades, and other
costs in addition to the purchase price.

A culture that communicates indirectly, through the context of a situ- ation more than through words, and that builds relationships slowly (for example, Japan)

Employees who have the capacity to grow into higher levels of leader- ship in the organization.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects American workers in assuring the continuation of health insurance coverage and protects their medical privacy.

A bar graph that shows the upper and lower limits in a set of data.

Expatriate salary that stays the same while the employee is on assign- ment (for example, if an employee is relocated from Tokyo to London, he or she continues to receive the Tokyo salary along with expatriate benefits)

Description of a group whose members are all the same or similar (for example, people from the same background and heritage). Opposite of heterogeneous.

Employees or other people who are citizens of the country where a
person is working on an expatriate assignment.

A situation in which an employee’s coworkers create an uncomfortable work environment, often through inappropriate sexual behavior or discrimination.

A manager or department that has a relationship with HR in order to
provide services to the organization.

Function within an organization that focuses on implementing organi- zational strategy, as well as recruitment, management, and providing direction for the people who work in the organization.

An evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses, and development needs of
human resources required for organizational performance.

A role in which human resources works closely with an organization
to develop strategies and achieve business results.

The part of human resource management that deals with training employees and giving them the skills they need to do their jobs both now and in the future.

Technology that supports human resources functions.

Employees’ knowledge, talents, and skills that add to the value of the
organization.

Methods and tools for recruiting, managing, and keeping important employees.

An organizational model that combines different operational, func-
tional, product, and geographic structures.

A department of the United Nations that deals with human and labor rights.

International standards for employers and employees that become in- ternational law when a certain number of governments have adopted them.

A test used to hire or promote employees to management positions. The test measures the candidate’s ability to prioritize and respond to daily tasks.

A monetary or non-monetary reward to motivate an employee (for
example, a bonus or extra time off)

Compensation paid for injuries, damages or unfulfilled obligations.

Workers who contract to do specific work for other people or organi- zations and are not considered employees.

Cultural belief that the individual is the most important part of soci-
ety; one of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, opposite of collectivism.

A benefit that management offers to employees as motivation for
producing specific results.

The relationship between the management of an industrial enterprise and its employees, as guided by specific laws and regulations.

Not suitable to participate in a program or apply for a job.

People who provide business, social, or cultural data to others.

Actions related to new ideas or to starting new plans.

A foreign employee who is on a work assignment in the country where an organization’s headquarters are located.

Assigning a job to an internal department instead of to an outside organization; opposite of outsourcing.

Rewards for employees that are provided immediately after the desired
behavior is produced.

To combine or bring together different parts.

An original invention or something created by the mind, which is
usually protected by patents, trademarks, or copyrights.

Involving or representing different cultures (for example, intercultural
communication, intercultural competency, or intercultural marriage)

Making sure that employees with jobs of similar value to the organiza-
tion receive equal compensation.

Key people and influences inside an organization that shape its future (the opposite of external forces, such as the economy and competi- tors)

A calculation of the average return each year during the life of an
investment.

A person who moves to a new country to work on an international
assignment.

A company that has operations and services in different parts of the world.

Effective social qualities for communicating and building good rela-
tionships with different people.

An explanation of the meaning of something; translating spoken
language.

Someone who translates spoken language by speaking or signing.

A restricted computer network which only allows authorized people to access the site. For example, a company intranet that only allows its employees access to its data.

Non-material motivation which comes from personal satisfaction (for
examples, job status, job satisfaction or human interest)

Money and capital which is spent in order to make more money (ex-
amples: stocks, bonds, real-estate)

A study of the major tasks and responsibilities of jobs to determine
their importance and relation to other jobs in a company.

The skills and behaviors that will help an employee succeed in a spe-
cific job.

Written document describing an employee’s work activities.

Increasing the scope of a job by extending duties and responsibilities,
generally without changing pay or status.

A way to motivate employees by giving them greater responsibilities and more variety in their work.

The process of measuring how much a job is worth (for example, in
order to set the salary and other benefits)

Groups of occupations based upon the type of work performed, skills, education, training, and credentials.

The use of objective skill assessment data combined with common
sense to determing the best fit for an employee to a secific job.

A strategy for introducing job candidates to the realities of the posi- tion, both good and bad, prior to making a hiring decision.

A job evaluation method that compares jobs to each other based on
their importance to the organization.

A procedure used when a company wants to hire a new employee to
fill a position.

A way to develop employees by giving them different jobs to perform.

Learning a new job by watching another employee work.

A description of employee qualifications required to perform a specific
job.

A way of estimating how much a person should be paid based on what they do.

“when 2 or more organizations work together and share risks and
rewards (also called “JV”)

The right and power to interpret and apply the law, often within a
certain geographical region.

Employees that perform extremely good work and are highly valued
by the organization.

Policies that reimburse employees’ losses due to kidnapping or extor- tion in high-risk areas of the world.

The process of gathering, documenting, and sharing important infor- mation to improve the performance of employees and the organization.

A measure an organization uses to see its progress and show what it
needs to improve.

A group of employees with the same job who join together to ask their employers for things such as better wages, benefits, or working conditions.

Signs that confirm the economy has already changed (for example, the
unemployment rate)

An economic theory that is strongly against any government interference in business affairs.

Temporary suspension or termination of an employee or groups of
employess because of business reasons.

The ability to influence other people or groups to achieve a goal.

Investment in programs to help current leaders become more effective and to build future leaders.

The people in a company who will be developed to move into higher
levels of leadership over time.

Signs that show the economy will change before it does (for example, a
rise or fall in interest rates)

The time it takes for a person to accquire new information and skills and to perform successfully.

Measuring the impact of employee training and development pro- grams on business goals.

Computer software that administers, tracks, and reports on employ- ee development opportunities such as classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content.

The time it takes for a person to understand and retain information.

Internet site where employees can use educational resources.

The way people process new information and learn most effectively (example, some people learn best visually, through lectures, or by reading. Others learn best by action or doing)

An agreement for a person or organization to rent a property (leasee) from its owner (leasor) for a specific period of time and amount of money.

Rating employees higher than their actual performance deserves.

The act of applying a small investment to bring a high level of return.

A communication link between people or groups.

A written contract in which the owner of a trademark or intellectual property gives rights to a licensee to use, produce, or sell a product or service.

Work groups that conduct the major business of an organization, such
as manufacturing or sales.

Money or goods that a person or organization lends temporarily,
usually charging interest.

Salary for an international assignee that is the same as the salary that a local employee receives for a similar job.

A job in a different culture that lasts longer than 6 months, usually 3 to
5 years.

A culture that communicates directly, using words more than situa- tions, and that builds relationships quickly (for example, the United States)

An extra amount of money paid one time rather than on a regular basis. For example an expatriate may receive a lump sum payment to cover the extra costs of the assignment related to housing, taxes, de- pendent education, and transportation.

An arrangement in which a person or company operates a project or business in return for a fee.

Laws which outline benefits to provide economic security for employees and their dependents.

The total number of individuals who make up the workforce of an
organization.

Review of median pay for specific positions in the same labor market.

An evaluation that compares the salaries for particular jobs offered on the external job market.

A physical or virtual place in which business operates. For example,
the global marketplace, or the online marketplace.

Term used in cultural studies to represent work oriented societies. One
of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, the opposite of femininity.

A method of ranking human needs in a pyramid, with basic physical needs (such as obtaining food and shelter) at the bottom, and psycho- logical needs (such as creative expression) at the top.

Great ability and knowledge of some subject or activity.

A system of managing staff where employees have more than one reporting relationship. For example, they could report to a direct supervisor as well as a team leader.

“an average determined by adding up a group of numbers, and then dividing that total by the number of numbers. For example, to calculate the mean of “10, 20, 30, 40, 50””: first, add the numbers (10+20+30+40+50 = 150), then count the numbers (5), then divide the total by the number of numbers (150/5 = 30)”

“the middle number in a series. For example, in the series “13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 16, 18, 21””, the median is 14, with four numbers to the left and four numbers to the right”

An attempt to help other people or groups come to an agreement.

When an experienced person shares knowledge with someone who
has less experience.

2 or more organizations that come together through a purchase, ac- quisition, or sharing of resources. Usually the new organization saves money by eliminating duplicate jobs.

An increase in wages for meeting or exceeding the performance goals
of a job.

The lowest hourly, daily or monthly salary that employers must legally
pay to employees or workers.

A short description of the main purpose of an organization, which does not change (unlike strategy and business practices, which can change frequently)

An HR terms that refers to employees and their families who move
from one location to another.

Extra salary paid to expatriates to encourage them to move to a new
country.

In the following series of numbers, 8 is the mode: 6, 5, 8, 3, 7, 8, 9, 8, 4.

One section of a training program which is presented alone or as part
of a series of other units.

Working for more than one company at the same time to have a second job in addition to full-time employment.

The idea that there is a clear definition of what is right and wrong.

Reasons or influences that lead to specific desired behavior such as
commitment to a job or continuing efforts to achieve a goal.

A group of people from several cultures or ethnic groups.

A company that has its headquarters in one country and has offices and operations in other countries; also known as a multinational corporation (MNC)

Combining different employee benefit programs in a multinational organization to save money and control risks.

Assessing the present situation to determine the steps necessary to
reach a desired future goal.

A practice where people of influence appoint their relatives or friends to positions in a business, even though they may be less qualified than other candidates.

A group of people who connect with one another; a computer system
that allows people to access shared resources and data.

Any non-profit, voluntary and independent organization that is not connected with any government, and that usually works to improve social or environmental conditions.

A standard model or pattern which is considered typical.