Section 2 - Human Resources Flashcards
This section looks at people in organisations focusing on their roles, relationships and management in business.
Authority
The right to command and make decisions.
Chain of command
The route through which orders are passed down in the hierarchy.
Delegation
Authority to pass down from superior to subordinate.
Formal organisation
The internal structure of a business as shown by an organisation chart.
Hierarchy
The order or levels of responsibility in an organisation from the lowest to the highest.
Organisational chart
A diagram that shows the different job roles in a business and how they relate to each other.
Span of control
The number of people a person is directly responsible for in a business.
Subordinates
People in the hierarchy who work under the control of a senior worker.
Department
A section in a business where all employees have similar skills and specialise in particular activities.
Communication
The sending and receiving of messages.
Communication barriers
Things that get in the way of communication.
Communication channels
Routes along which communication might travel in a business.
Communication media
The different methods by which information can be sent.
Formal communication
The use of recognised channels when communicating.
Informal communication
The use of non-approved channels when communicating.
External communication
Communication between the business and those outside such as customers, investors or the authorities.
Internal communication
Communication between people inside a business.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A document used by a job seeker which lists personal details, qualifications, work experience, referees and other details.
External Recruitment
Appointing workers from outside the business.
Internal Recruitment
Appointing workers from inside the business.
Job Description
A document that shows clearly the tasks, duties and responsibilities expected of a worker for a particular job.
Person Specification
A personal profile of the type of person needed to do a particular job.
Contract of Employment
A written agreement between an employer and an employee in which each has certain obligations.
Discrimination
Favouring one person over another. For example, in the EU it is unlawful to discriminate on grounds of race, gender, age and disability.
Employment Tribunal
A court which deals with cases involving disputes between employers and employees.
Unfair Dismissal
Where a worker is dismissed illegally by a business.
Induction Training
Training given to new employees when they first start a job.
Off-the-job Training
Training that takes place away from the work area.
On-the-job Training
Training that takes place while doing the job.
Training
A process which involves increasing the knowledge and skills of a worker to enable them to do their jobs more effectively.
Hygiene Factors (Herzberg’s)
Things at work that result in dissatisfaction.
Pay, Working Conditions, Job Security, Quality of Supervision, Staff Relationships, and Company Policy.
Job Satisfaction
The pleasure, enjoyment or sense of achievement that employees get from their work.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
The order of people’s needs starting with basic human needs.
Physiological, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging, Esteem, and Self-actualisation.
Motivation
The desire to achieve a goal.
Motivators (Herzberg’s)
Things at work that result in satisfaction. (Achieving Aims, Chance of Promotion, Responsibility, Interesting Work, Recognition, and Personal Development.)
Physiological Needs
The basic needs of humans for their survival.
Security and Safety Needs
The need of humans to feel protected from any form of danger and physical and psychological threats.
Love and Belonging Needs
The need of humans to communicate, develop friendships and to ‘belong’.
Esteem Needs
The need of humans to be recognised and respected and their achievements praised.
Self-Actualisation Needs
The need of humans to reach their full potential and feel some fulfilment in what they do.
Bonus Systems
A payment in addition to the basic wage for reaching targets or in recognition for service.
Commission
A payment based on the value of sales, usually a percentage of sales made.
Gross Pay
Pay before deductions such as income tax, pension contributions and national insurance.
Net Pay
An employee’s take home pay, i.e. pay after deductions such as income tax and pension contributions.
Overtime
A rate of pay above the normal rate to compensate employees for working extra hours.
Performance Related Pay (PRP)
A payment system designed for non-manual workers where pay increases are given if performance targets are met.
Piece Rate
A payment system where workers receive an amount of money for each unit produced.
Profit Sharing
Where workers are given a share of the profits, usually as part of their pay.
Salary
Pay, usually to non-manual workers, expressed as a yearly figure but paid monthly.
Time Rate
A payment system based on the amount of time employees spend at work.
Fringe Benefits
‘Perks’ over and above the normal wage or salary.
Job Enrichment
Making workers’ jobs more challenging by giving them opportunities to be creative and take on responsibility.
Job Rotation
Allowing workers to change jobs from time to time.
