HR Glossary

    Abandonment Rates

    Abandonment rates refer to the percentage of people who do not complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.

    Learn more

    Abilene Paradox

    The Abilene Paradox is the phenomenon of a group making a decision that is counter to the individual preferences of its members.

    Learn more

    Absconding

    Absconding is the act of leaving a job or place of work without permission or notice. It can disrupt operations and lead to disciplinary action by the employer.

    Learn more

    Absence

    Absence refers to the state or fact of being away from a place or not present at a particular time.

    Learn more

    Absenteeism

    Absenteeism is the habit or practice of frequently being absent from work or duty, without good reason.

    Learn more

    Absenteeism Policy

    An absenteeism policy is a set of rules and guidelines that outline the acceptable levels of absenteeism in a workplace.

    Learn more

    Absolute Rating

    Absolute ratings are used to assess the creditworthiness of a borrower at a specific point in time based on a detailed analysis of their financial history.

    Learn more

    Accessibility

    Accessibility is the practice of designing products, devices, services, or environments to be usable by people with disabilities and to enable their full participation in all aspects of life.

    Learn more

    Accommodation Network (JAN)

    JAN is a free service that offers information on workplace accommodations for people with disabilities, under ADA laws.

    Learn more

    Accountability

    Accountability refers to the obligation to account for one’s actions and accept responsibility for their consequences.

    Learn more

    Acqui Hiring

    Acqui-hiring, also known as talent acquisition, is a type of corporate strategy in which a company acquires another company primarily for the purpose of hiring its employees.

    Learn more

    Adaptive Device

    An adaptive device is a piece of equipment or technology designed to help people with disabilities perform tasks that may otherwise be difficult or impossible.

    Learn more

    Administrative Services Only (ASO)

    Administrative Services Only (ASO) refers to a type of insurance arrangement in which an insurer provides administrative services to a self-insured group, but does not assume any risk for claims.

    Learn more

    Adverse Impact

    Adverse impact refers to a negative or disproportionate effect on a particular group of people, such as a minority group or women.

    Learn more

    Affective Events Theory (AET)

    Affective Events Theory (AET) is a theory that explains how emotions and moods influence work behavior and decision-making.

    Learn more

    Affirmative Action

    Affirmative action refers to policies and initiatives that aim to correct for past discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion, often in education and employment.

    Learn more

    After-acquired evidence

    After-acquired evidence is new evidence that is discovered after a legal decision has been made, which may affect the outcome of the case.

    Learn more

    Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

    The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against employees who are 40 years of age or older.

    Learn more

    Ageism

    Ageism is prejudice or discrimination against a particular age group, typically older people. It can take many forms, including stereotypes and discriminatory practices.

    Learn more

    Agent (Insurance)

    An insurance agent is a person who represents an insurance company and sells insurance policies to clients. They may work for a single company or represent multiple companies.

    Learn more

    Agile HR

    Agile HR is a modern approach to managing HR functions, emphasizing flexibility, speed, and collaboration.

    Learn more

    Agile Organizations

    An Agile organization is one that values flexibility and adaptability in its processes and decision-making.

    Learn more

    Algorithmic Accountability

    Algorithmic accountability refers to the idea that organizations should be held accountable for the algorithms and automated decision-making systems that they use.

    Learn more

    Algorithmic Transparency

    Algorithmic transparency refers to the idea that organizations should be transparent about the algorithms and automated decision-making systems that they use.

    Learn more

    Allostatic load

    Allostatic load is a measure of the physiological wear and tear on the body that occurs as a result of chronic exposure to stress.

    Learn more

    Ally

    An ally is a person who actively supports and stands up for the rights and interests of a group other than their own.

    Learn more

    Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

    Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to a variety of methods for resolving disputes outside of the traditional judicial system, such as arbitration, mediation, and negotiation.

    Learn more

    Ambivert

    Ambiverts are people who exhibit characteristics of both introverts and extroverts. They are somewhere in between the two and have a balance of introverted and extroverted qualities.

    Learn more

    Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment and transportation.

    Learn more

    Annual Leave

    Annual leave is typically accrued over time, meaning that an employee earns a certain amount each year based on the number of hours worked or the length of employment.

    Learn more