| Term or acronym | Definition |
| Absenteeism | The frequent absence of an employee from their job, often tracked for payroll processing. |
| Affirmative Action | Policies and practices aimed at increasing the representation of historically disadvantaged groups in employment. |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) | Methods for resolving disputes outside of the courtroom, such as mediation and arbitration. |
| Annual Leave | Paid time off work granted to employees for holidays or vacations. |
| Arbitration | A method of resolving disputes where an impartial third party makes a binding decision. |
| At-Will Employment | A type of employment in which either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. Common in the U.S. |
| Background Check | The process of verifying information provided by a job candidate, including criminal records, education, and employment history. |
| Bereavement Leave | Paid or unpaid leave taken by an employee due to the death of a family member or close relative. |
| Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) | Employment practices that would otherwise be discriminatory but are allowed if they are necessary for the operation of a particular business. |
| Bonus | Additional compensation given to employees on top of their regular salary, often based on performance or company profitability. |
| Collective Bargaining | The process by which employers and a group of employees negotiate terms and conditions of employment, often through a union. |
| Compensatory Time (Comp Time) | Time off given to employees instead of overtime pay for working extra hours. |
| Constructive Dismissal | When an employee resigns due to the employer's behaviour, which has made their working conditions intolerable. |
| Contract of Employment | A legal document outlining the terms and conditions of employment, including duties, compensation, and benefits. |
| Confidentiality Agreement | A contract in which an employee agrees to keep certain information confidential. |
| Discrimination | Unfair treatment of employees based on race, gender, age, religion, nationality, disability, or other protected characteristics. |
| Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) | Practices and policies aimed at creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. |
| Duty of Care | The legal obligation of employers to ensure the well-being, safety, and health of their employees. |
| Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | A work-based intervention program designed to assist employees in resolving personal problems that may affect their job performance. |
| Employee Handbook | A manual provided by an employer to employees outlining company policies, procedures, and expectations. |
| Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) | A program that provides employees with an ownership interest in the company. |
| Employment Contract | A formal agreement between an employer and employee outlining the terms and conditions of employment. |
| Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) | Laws and policies that prohibit discrimination in employment based on protected characteristics. |
| Equal Pay Act | Legislation that requires equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender. |
| Essential Job Functions | Fundamental duties of a position that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. |
| Exit Interview | A meeting with a departing employee to discuss their reasons for leaving and their experience with the company. |
| Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA) | U.S. federal law that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and child labour standards. |
| Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) | U.S. federal law that provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. |
| Fixed-Term Contract | An employment contract for a specific period of time, after which the employment automatically ends unless renewed. |
| Flexible Working | Employment practices that allow for variations in work schedules and locations, such as telecommuting or flex-time. |
| Garden Leave | A period during which an employee who is leaving a job (having resigned or been terminated) is instructed to stay away from work during their notice period, while still remaining on the payroll. |
| Grievance Procedure | A formal process through which employees can raise concerns or complaints about their workplace or employment conditions. |
| Gross Misconduct | Behaviour by an employee that is so severe it justifies immediate dismissal without notice, such as theft or violence. |
| Harassment | Unwelcome behaviour based on protected characteristics that creates a hostile or intimidating work environment. |
| Health and Safety at Work Act | UK legislation requiring employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. |
| Holiday Pay | Compensation received by employees for holidays. |
| Human Resources (HR) | The department within an organisation responsible for managing employee relations, benefits, recruitment, training, and compliance with employment laws. |
| Independent Contractor | A person or entity contracted to perform work for another entity as a non-employee. |
| Industrial Action | Activities undertaken by employees, such as strikes or work-to-rule, to enforce demands regarding employment conditions. |
| Joint Employment | A situation in which two or more employers share responsibility and liability for the same employee or group of employees. |
| Labour Union | An organisation of workers formed to protect and advance their rights and interests through collective bargaining. |
| Layoff | Termination of employees due to business reasons such as lack of work, restructuring, or cost-cutting. |
| Leave of Absence | Approved time away from work, which may be paid or unpaid, for reasons such as illness, personal matters, or education. |
| Maternity Leave | Job-protected leave for mothers around the time of childbirth. |
| Minimum Wage | The lowest wage that an employer is legally allowed to pay their employees. |
| Non-Compete Agreement | A contract in which an employee agrees not to enter into competition with the employer after the employment period is over. |
| Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) | A contract in which an employee agrees not to disclose confidential information obtained during their employment. |
| Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) | Practices and policies aimed at ensuring the health and safety of employees in the workplace. |
| Onboarding | The process of integrating a new employee into an organisation, including orientation and training. |
| Overtime | Hours worked in excess of the standard workweek, typically compensated at a higher rate of pay. |
| Parental Leave | Job-protected leave granted to parents to care for their newborn or newly adopted child. |
| Part-Time Employment | Employment where the employee works fewer hours than a full-time schedule, typically less than 35 hours per week. |
| Pay Equity | The principle of equal pay for work of equal value, ensuring fairness in compensation. |
| Pension Plan | A retirement plan funded by an employer that provides regular payments to employees after retirement. |
| Performance Appraisal | The evaluation of an employee's job performance and contributions to the organisation. |
| Probation Period | A trial period at the beginning of employment during which an employer can assess an employee's performance and suitability for the role. |
| Protected Characteristics | Attributes such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation that are protected by employment discrimination laws. |
| Reasonable Accommodation | Adjustments or modifications provided by an employer to enable people with disabilities to perform essential job functions. |
| Redundancy | Termination of employment due to the employer's need to reduce the workforce or eliminate certain positions. |
| Restrictive Covenant | Provisions in employment contracts that restrict the actions of employees after they leave the company, such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses. |
| Retirement | The period in an employee's life when they permanently leave the workforce, typically due to age. |
| Return to Work Programme | A plan to help employees transition back to work after a period of absence, often due to illness or injury. |
| Sexual Harassment | Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. |
| Sick Leave | Paid or unpaid leave taken by an employee due to illness or injury. |
| Social Security | Government programs that provide financial assistance during retirement, disability, or unemployment, often requiring contributions from both employers and employees. |
| Succession Planning | The process of identifying and developing internal employees with the potential to fill key leadership positions in the organisation. |
| Termination | The end of an employee's contract with an employer, which can be voluntary or involuntary. |
| Trade Union | An organisation formed by workers to protect their rights and interests and to negotiate collectively with employers. |
| Training and Development | Organised efforts by an organisation to improve the skills and knowledge of employees |