The department that turned firing into a growth opportunity.
Laws that prohibit requiring union membership or dues as a condition of employment—deceptively named legislation that weakens unions while sounding like it protects worker freedom.
When management approves decisions that have already been made by people above them, creating the illusion of consultation and hierarchy. Basically theater with signatures.
The departure of high-performing, valuable employees—the type of turnover that actually hurts the organization. The kind of exit that makes managers say things like 'But we're the good guys!'
A chart defining who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each task—HR's favorite way to assign blame while diffusing responsibility across four people.
Corporate euphemism for layoffs, distinguished by its clinical efficiency and HR's sincere belief that a better acronym makes job loss less traumatic.
State laws prohibiting mandatory union membership as a condition of employment—legislation that allows workers to enjoy union benefits without paying dues.
The art of convincing talented people that your company is better than it actually is, using promises of growth, culture, and work-life balance that may or may not materialize. The corporate equivalent of dating, except with background checks and non-disclosure agreements.
A crack in the workplace team morale—the metaphorical chasm that develops when colleagues stop getting along. Could also be that literal awkward silence during meetings when disagreement becomes impossible to ignore.
Legal limitation preventing employees from competing with the employer after leaving, though courts evaluate whether the restriction is actually necessary.
A mentoring relationship where junior (often younger) employees mentor senior employees, typically on technology or newer business practices. It's what happens when your 25-year-old employee teaches your director how to use Slack.
Guidelines governing where and how employees can work, typically specifying hybrid, fully remote, or on-site requirements. It's basically a permission slip for adults who somehow need written authorization to work from their kitchen table.
The elimination of a job position, making the employee redundant. British English for 'layoff' but somehow sounds more civilized.
Corporate directives requiring remote employees to return to physical offices, typically citing collaboration and culture. Often met with resistance from employees who've experienced the benefits of remote work.
A formal request to fill an open position, approved before recruiting begins and tracked as an official ticket. Once approved, a req becomes the magic number that makes a job officially exist, budget and all.
A layoff that eliminates positions for business reasons, rather than because of individual performance. It is the corporate euphemism that tries to make 'your role no longer exists' sound like an organizational improvement.
An initiative offering bonuses or incentives to employees who refer external candidates who are hired. It's basically paying your staff to bring their friends into the workplace.
Employment where workers perform their duties from home or locations outside a physical office. It's what everyone demanded during the pandemic, only to realize their home office is also their bedroom, kitchen, and self-care space.