GLOSSARY OF HUMAN RESOURCES TERMS

Human capital The collective knowledge, skills and abilities of an organizations employees. Human resources The function dealing with the management of people employed within the organization. Human resource auditing The process of assessing HR programs and services to determine effectiveness or efficiency. Human resource development A set of planned activities intended to provide the organization with the skills it requires to meet current and future business demands. Human resource informationsystem (HRIS)A computer database used to gather, store, maintain and retrieve relevant employee and HR-related information. Human resource management The formal structure within an organization responsible for all the decisions, strategies, factors, principles, operations, practices, functions, activities and methods related to the management of people. Human resource management systemA software application combining various human resource functions, such as benefits, payroll, recruiting, training, etc., into one package. Human resource metrics Measurements used to determine the value and effectiveness of HR strategies. Typically includes such items as cost per hire, turnover rates/costs, training and human capital ROI, labor /productivity rates and costs, benefit costs per employee, etc. Human resource planning The process of anticipating future staffing needs and ensuring that a sufficient pool of talent possessing the skills and experience needed will be available to meet those needs. Human Resource Specialist A term used to define an individual who has expertise and responsibility for a specific area or function in the field of Human Resources (i.e. compensation, benefits, employee relations, etc.) Hybrid organization An organization whose structure is comprised of both vertical and horizontal models. Hygiene theory Studies conducted by Frederick Herzberg used to better understand employee attitudes and motivation and what factors cause job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Ability test An assessment instrument used to measure an individuals abilities, mental or physical skills level (i.e.problem solving, manual dexterity, etc.). Ability Aptitude or competence, the skill or proficiency needed to perform certain tasks.

Absenteeism Referred to as the habitual failure of employees to report for work when they are scheduled to work. Absolute ratings A rating method where the rater assigns a specific value on a fixed scale to the behavior or performance of an individual instead of assigning ratings based on comparisons between other individuals. Abstract reasoning The process of perceiving issues and reaching