In the HR ecosystem and need to speak the language fluently?
We know it can get tricky to keep up with industry jargon.
So whether you’re just starting off or have been in the field for years, our Human Resource (HR) Glossary is for you.
It is a comprehensive directory of terms and phrases commonly used by HR professionals to help you enhance your understanding of the industry as you navigate your day-to-day work.
Agile Organisation
uh·jail aw·guh·nai·zei·shn
An organisation/system that keeps implementing processes to help >
Behavioural Competencies
bee·hei·vyur·ul kawm·puh·tuhns·ees
Behaviour attributes (such as knowledge, skill, etc) that contributes to the growth of an >
Bereavement Leave
buh·reev·muhnt leev
Paid time-off that employees can avail in the unfortunate event of >
Burnout
buhn·awt
It refers to excessive or prolonged stress caused due to emotional, physical >
Change Management
cheinj man·eij·ment
It is the systematic application of tools, knowledge, and resources to >
Compliance
kuhm·plai·uhns
Refers to the commitment of any given business to follow the employment >
Cost-Per-Hire
kawst per hai·uh
Refers to the total cost of recruiting and onboarding someone into the company, inclusive of >
Diversity & Inclusion
dai·vuhs·uh·tee and uhn·kloo·zhn
Also known as D&I, diversity refers to the representation of different people/communities in >
Employee Experience
uhm·ploy ek·spee·ree·uhns
Refers to what your company culture feels like to your >
Employer Branding
uhm. ploy bran. duhng
Refers to a company's reputation as an employer and is a reflection of >
Equity Theory
eh.kvuh.tee thee.uh.ree
Also known as Adams' equity theory, it is based on the principle that >
Key Performance Indicators
kee. puh.faw.muhns. in.di.kei.tuhz
KPIs are key quantifiable indicators of progress that demonstrate >
Non-Disclosure Agreement
nohn duh.skloh.zhuh uh.gree.muhnt
Also known as a confidentiality agreement, an NDA >
Performance Appraisal
puh.faw.muhns uh.preiz.uhl
Also referred to as a performance review, it forms an integral part >
Pulse Surveys
puhls sur.vei
Pulse Surveys are employee feedback mechanisms that are generally >
Rewards & Recognition
ruh.vawds and reh.kuhg.ni.shn
Although often used interchangeably, rewards are transactional and recognition >
Succession Planning
suhk.seh.shn pla.ning
A strategy to identify and develop future leaders >
Thought Leadership
thawt. lee·duh·ship
A key strategy that focuses on establishing leaders as experts in their field >
Absenteeism
ab·suhn·tee·i·zm
Refers to the habitual non-presence (beyond compensated and/or sick or urgent leaves) >
Background Screening
ba·grawnd skree·nuhng
It involves verifying a candidate's education and employment history as stated on their >
Benchmarking
bench·maak·uhng
The process of identifying the most successful practices in similar businesses and assimilating >
Big Data
big dei·ta
The use of data sources to evaluate, enhance, and streamline practices such as >
Business Continuity Planning
biz·nuhs kuhn·tuh·nyoo·uh·tee pla·ning
It involves putting in procedures/plans in place in case of unforeseen events to >
Company Culture
kaw·puh·ruht kuhl·chuh
Refers to the manner in which the workforce and administration in >
Core Competencies
kor kawm·puh·tuhns·ees
Any attribute that contributes to the successful completion of tasks >
Disciplinary Procedure
di·suh·pluh·nuh·ree pruh·see·juh
A standardized procedure put in place by the company stating the process for dealing with a >
Employee Advocacy
uhm·ploy ad·vuh·kuh·see
Promotion/advertisement of a company/firm/organisation by its >
Employee Referral Program
uhm·ploy reh·fuh·ruhl proh·graam
It is a structured program in place within the company asking existing employees to >
Employer Value Proposition
uhm. ploy va. lyoo praw. puhz. i. shn
Also known as an Employee Value Proposition, an EVP is the portfolio of rewards, support, recognition, values and culture that >
Gamification
gei.muh.fuh.kei.shn
Refers to the usage of game mechanics/gaming techniques in non-game environments to >
Human Capital Management System
hyoo.muhn ka.pi.tl mah.nah.ge.ment
A comprehensive set of practices that organisations use to manage people. These practices are >
Key Result Areas
kee. ri.zuhlt. ei.ree.aaz
Also referred to as 'critical success factors' or 'key drivers of success', KRAs >
Onboarding
awn.bord.ing
A process to orient a new employee into an organisation. This also includes >
Performance Management
puh.faw.muhns mah.nah.ge.ment
A process that involves continuous feedback and communication between >
Selection Procedure
suh.leh.kshn pruh.see.juh
Refers to the steps involved in shortlisting and choosing >
Talent Retention
ta.luhnt ruh.ten.shn
The ability of an organisation to retain high-performing employees through well-designed >
Total Compensation
toh.tl kawm.puhn.sei.shn
The total monetary value that an organisation offers >
Accessibility
uhk·seh·suh·bi·luh·tee
It is the degree to which a product, environment or service is >
Artificial Intelligence
aa·tuh·fee·shl in·teh·luh·jens
A field of computer science that aims to replicate human intelligence in >
Base Salary
beis sah.luh.rhee
Also known as Base Wage Rate, it is the minimum fixed amount of money paid for a job >
Benefits & Compensation
beh·nuh·fits and kawm·puhn·sei·shn
A systematic approach to cash or kind returns awarded to employees in exchange for >
Blended Workforce
blend·uhd vuhk·faws
Includes a variety of employees who are on different types of >
Career Pathing
kuh·reeuh paath·ing
Also known as Career Mapping, it refers to the positions that an employee moves through, as >
Competitive Advantage
kuhm·peh·tuh·tuhv uh·dvaan·tuhj
Refers to the qualitative attributes that give the company an edge over >
Corporate Social Responsibility
kaw·puh·ruht soh·shl ruh·spawn·suh·buh·luh·tee
A business strategy that is based on ethical principles and takes social & environmental conditions into >
Discrimination
di·skri·mi·nei·shn
Refers to any prejudice that results in unfair treatment of an employee at >
Employee Assistance Program
uhm·ploy uh·si·stns proh·graam
Structured programs or procedures that help your workforce deal with >
Employee Relations
uhm. ploy ruh.lei. shnz
Refers to an organisation's efforts to manage relationships between employers and >
Equal Employment Opportunity
ee. kvl uhm. ploy. muhnt aw.puh.choo.nuh.tee
An employment practice that safeguards the interests of job applicants >
Learning Management Systems
luh.ning mah.nah.ge.ment si.stm
An LMS is a software application that is used to create and share learning content >
Organisational Development
aw.guh.nai.sei.shnal di.veh.luhp.muhnt
A science-based process that is aimed at >
Prevention of Sexual Harassment
pruh.ven.shn ofh sek.shoo.uhl huh.raas.muhnt
The PoSH Act applies to workplaces in India, with a purpose to create >
Reverse Mentoring
ruh.vuhs men.tuh.ruhng
A technique that is used to partner employees in a different way from traditional mentoring >
Sensitivity Training
sen.suh.tiv.uh.tee trei.ning
A form of emotional training that is aimed at >
Training & Development
trei.ning and di.veh.luhp.muhnt
A planned effort by an organisation to help improve the performance of individuals >
Work-Life Balance
vhk.laif bah.lunh.ce
The level of balance or healthy prioritization that people are able to strike/achieve between their >
