Maternity leave is the period of job-protected leave granted to mothers before and after the birth of a child. It allows time for recovery, newborn care, and bonding, and is often supported by government or employer policies that may include paid or unpaid benefits.
Learning and Development (L&D) is the process of training employees to enhance their skills, knowledge, and professional growth. It includes programs like workshops, mentoring, e-learning, and leadership development that help improve performance and prepare teams for future roles.
The labor market refers to the exchange where employers look for talent and individuals seek employment opportunities. It is shaped by factors like workforce skills, job demand, wages, and economic conditions, influencing hiring trends and career opportunities.
Job verification is the process of confirming an employee’s work history, including their job title, employment dates, and sometimes salary. Employers, banks, or agencies request this information for purposes like background checks, loan approvals, or visa applications.
Job shadowing is a learning method where an individual observes a professional during their daily tasks to understand a role better. It helps students, new hires, or career changers gain practical insights into skills, responsibilities, and workplace culture.
A job interview is a formal conversation between an employer and a job applicant to evaluate whether the candidate is suitable for a role. It typically includes questions about skills, past experience, and career goals, helping both sides decide if there’s a good match.
A job description is a written document that defines the responsibilities, skills, qualifications, and expectations for a specific role. It helps employers communicate requirements clearly and allows candidates to understand if they are a good fit for the position.
An individual contributor (IC) is an employee who contributes through their skills and expertise rather than managing others. They focus on completing specific tasks, projects, or goals, playing a vital role in achieving organizational success without holding leadership responsibilities.
An independent contractor is a professional who offers services to a company but works as a self-employed individual, not as an employee. They control their work schedule, pay their own taxes, and usually work under a contract for specific projects or tasks.
Hybrid workspaces are flexible work models where employees split their time between working remotely and at a physical office. This approach supports better work-life balance, enhances collaboration, and allows businesses to adapt to modern workforce needs.
An HR Business Partner (HRBP) is an HR professional who works closely with business leaders to align people strategies with organizational objectives. They focus on workforce planning, employee development, and building strong HR processes that drive business growth.
Headcount is the total number of employees working in a company, including full-time, part-time, and sometimes contractors. It helps HR and finance teams track workforce size, plan budgets, and ensure compliance with labor regulations.
A freelancer is an independent worker who provides skills or services to multiple clients, usually on short-term or project-based contracts. Unlike employees, freelancers are not on company payroll and manage their own taxes, benefits, and schedules. This flexible work model is common in fields like writing, design, IT, and consulting.
A fixed-term employee is a worker employed for a specific duration under a contract that ends on a predetermined date. This arrangement is commonly used for project-based roles, maternity cover, or seasonal work. Fixed-term employees typically receive similar rights and protections as permanent staff during their employment period.
An exit survey is a tool employers use to collect insights from employees who are leaving the organization. It asks about job satisfaction, management, workplace culture, and reasons for resignation. The feedback helps companies identify retention issues, improve policies, and create a better work environment for remaining staff.
An exempt employee is a worker who is excluded from overtime pay requirements under labor laws like the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They usually receive a fixed salary and work in executive, administrative, or professional roles. Exempt status provides consistent pay but requires meeting specific job duty and salary criteria.
Employment status refers to how a worker is legally classified in relation to their employer. Common categories include full-time employee, part-time employee, temporary worker, and independent contractor. This status determines tax obligations, access to benefits, job protections, and compliance with labor laws.
Employment conditions are the set of rules and agreements that govern an employee’s work relationship with an employer. They cover aspects like wages, working hours, leave entitlements, health and safety standards, and employee rights. Clear employment conditions help ensure fairness, compliance with labor laws, and transparency between employers and employees.
An employment agreement is a formal contract that defines the relationship between an employer and an employee. It specifies key details such as job role, compensation, benefits, work hours, confidentiality, and termination conditions. This agreement protects both parties by ensuring clarity, legal compliance, and mutual understanding of rights and obligations.
An employee is a person who works for an employer under an agreement, typically receiving wages or a salary along with benefits like health insurance or paid leave. Unlike contractors, employees are subject to company policies and labor laws that define rights and responsibilities. Employees form the core workforce of most organizations, contributing to daily operations and long-term goals.