WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
Absenteeism - (ANSWERS)The failure of an employee to report to the workplace as
scheduled
Accountability - (ANSWERS)The personal duty to someone else (a higher-level
manager or the organization itself) for the effective use of resources to complete an
assignment
Active listening - (ANSWERS)The intention and ability to listen to others, use the
content and context of the communication, and respond appropriately
Adverse employment action - (ANSWERS)Any action, such as firings, demotions,
schedule reductions, or changes, that would harm the individual employee
Affirmative action - (ANSWERS)A series of policies, programs, and initiatives that
have been instituted by various entities within both government and the private
sector that are designed to prefer hiring of individuals from protected groups in
certain circumstances in an attempt to mitigate past discrimination
Arbitrator - (ANSWERS)A neutral third party who resolves a conflict by making a
binding decision
Assessment center - (ANSWERS)A place where job applicants undergo a series of
tests, interviews, and simulated experiences to determine their potential for a
particular job
Authority - (ANSWERS)The right to give orders, enforce obedience, make
decisions, and commit resources toward completing organizational goals
Autocratic style of management - (ANSWERS)Highly directive and low in
supportiveness. Appropriate when interacting with low-capability employees.
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
Consultative style of management - (ANSWERS)Highly directive and highly
supportive behavior, is appropriate when interacting with moderately capable
employees. Give specific instructions, and oversee performance at all major stages
of a task.
Participative style of management - (ANSWERS)Low directive behavior and high
supportive behavior, and it is appropriate when interacting with employees with high
capability. Spend a small amount of time giving general directions and a great deal
of time giving encouragement.
Empowering Style of Management - (ANSWERS)Provide very little direction or
support to employees, appropriate for outstanding employees. You should let them
know what needs to be done and answer their questions, but it is not necessary to
oversee their performance.
Behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) form - (ANSWERS)A performance
appraisal that provides a description of each assessment along a continuum
Behaviors - (ANSWERS)The actions taken by an individual
Bias - (ANSWERS)A personality-based tendency, either toward or against
something
Biological job design - (ANSWERS)Designing jobs by focusing on minimizing the
physical strain on the worker by structuring the physical work environment around
the way the body works
Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) - (ANSWERS)A qualification that is
absolutely required in order for an individual to be able to successfully do a
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
particular job
Bonus - (ANSWERS)A lump sum payment, typically given to an individual at the
end of a time period
Broadbanding - (ANSWERS)Combining multiple pay levels into one
Burnout - (ANSWERS)Constant lack of interest and motivation to perform one's job
Business necessity - (ANSWERS)When a particular practice is necessary for the
safe and efficient operation of the business and when there is a specific business
purpose for applying a particular standard that may, in fact, be discriminatory
Business skills - (ANSWERS)The analytical and quantitative skills—including in-
depth knowledge of how the business works and its budgeting and strategic-
planning processes—that are necessary for a manager to understand and contribute
to the profitability of the organization
Career - (ANSWERS)The individually perceived sequence of attitudes and
behaviors associated with work-related experiences and activities over the span of a
person's life
Career plateau - (ANSWERS)When an individual feels unchallenged in their current
job and has little or no chance of advancement
Centralization - (ANSWERS)Degree to which decision making is concentrated
within the organization
Coaching - (ANSWERS)The process of giving motivational feedback to maintain
and improve performance
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
COBRA - (ANSWERS)A law that requires employers to offer to maintain health
insurance on individuals who leave their employment (for a period of time)
Cognitive ability test - (ANSWERS)An assessment of general intelligence or of
some type of aptitude for a particular job
Cohesiveness - (ANSWERS)An intent and desire for group members to stick
together in their actions
Collective bargaining - (ANSWERS)The negotiation process resulting in a contract
between union employees and management that covers employment conditions
Commission - (ANSWERS)A payment typically provided to a salesperson for
selling an item to a customer
Communication - (ANSWERS)The process of transmitting information and
meaning
Compensation - (ANSWERS)The total of an employee's pay and benefits
Compensation system - (ANSWERS)Anything that an employee may value and
desire and that the employer is willing and able to offer in exchange
Compensatory damages - (ANSWERS)Monetary damages awarded by the court that
compensate the injured person for losses
Compensatory selection model - (ANSWERS)Model allowing an individual to do
poorly on one test but make up for that poor grade by doing exceptionally well on
other tests
Absenteeism - (ANSWERS)The failure of an employee to report to the workplace as
scheduled
Accountability - (ANSWERS)The personal duty to someone else (a higher-level
manager or the organization itself) for the effective use of resources to complete an
assignment
Active listening - (ANSWERS)The intention and ability to listen to others, use the
content and context of the communication, and respond appropriately
Adverse employment action - (ANSWERS)Any action, such as firings, demotions,
schedule reductions, or changes, that would harm the individual employee
Affirmative action - (ANSWERS)A series of policies, programs, and initiatives that
have been instituted by various entities within both government and the private
sector that are designed to prefer hiring of individuals from protected groups in
certain circumstances in an attempt to mitigate past discrimination
Arbitrator - (ANSWERS)A neutral third party who resolves a conflict by making a
binding decision
Assessment center - (ANSWERS)A place where job applicants undergo a series of
tests, interviews, and simulated experiences to determine their potential for a
particular job
Authority - (ANSWERS)The right to give orders, enforce obedience, make
decisions, and commit resources toward completing organizational goals
Autocratic style of management - (ANSWERS)Highly directive and low in
supportiveness. Appropriate when interacting with low-capability employees.
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
Consultative style of management - (ANSWERS)Highly directive and highly
supportive behavior, is appropriate when interacting with moderately capable
employees. Give specific instructions, and oversee performance at all major stages
of a task.
Participative style of management - (ANSWERS)Low directive behavior and high
supportive behavior, and it is appropriate when interacting with employees with high
capability. Spend a small amount of time giving general directions and a great deal
of time giving encouragement.
Empowering Style of Management - (ANSWERS)Provide very little direction or
support to employees, appropriate for outstanding employees. You should let them
know what needs to be done and answer their questions, but it is not necessary to
oversee their performance.
Behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) form - (ANSWERS)A performance
appraisal that provides a description of each assessment along a continuum
Behaviors - (ANSWERS)The actions taken by an individual
Bias - (ANSWERS)A personality-based tendency, either toward or against
something
Biological job design - (ANSWERS)Designing jobs by focusing on minimizing the
physical strain on the worker by structuring the physical work environment around
the way the body works
Bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) - (ANSWERS)A qualification that is
absolutely required in order for an individual to be able to successfully do a
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
particular job
Bonus - (ANSWERS)A lump sum payment, typically given to an individual at the
end of a time period
Broadbanding - (ANSWERS)Combining multiple pay levels into one
Burnout - (ANSWERS)Constant lack of interest and motivation to perform one's job
Business necessity - (ANSWERS)When a particular practice is necessary for the
safe and efficient operation of the business and when there is a specific business
purpose for applying a particular standard that may, in fact, be discriminatory
Business skills - (ANSWERS)The analytical and quantitative skills—including in-
depth knowledge of how the business works and its budgeting and strategic-
planning processes—that are necessary for a manager to understand and contribute
to the profitability of the organization
Career - (ANSWERS)The individually perceived sequence of attitudes and
behaviors associated with work-related experiences and activities over the span of a
person's life
Career plateau - (ANSWERS)When an individual feels unchallenged in their current
job and has little or no chance of advancement
Centralization - (ANSWERS)Degree to which decision making is concentrated
within the organization
Coaching - (ANSWERS)The process of giving motivational feedback to maintain
and improve performance
, WGU D351 FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TERMS
COBRA - (ANSWERS)A law that requires employers to offer to maintain health
insurance on individuals who leave their employment (for a period of time)
Cognitive ability test - (ANSWERS)An assessment of general intelligence or of
some type of aptitude for a particular job
Cohesiveness - (ANSWERS)An intent and desire for group members to stick
together in their actions
Collective bargaining - (ANSWERS)The negotiation process resulting in a contract
between union employees and management that covers employment conditions
Commission - (ANSWERS)A payment typically provided to a salesperson for
selling an item to a customer
Communication - (ANSWERS)The process of transmitting information and
meaning
Compensation - (ANSWERS)The total of an employee's pay and benefits
Compensation system - (ANSWERS)Anything that an employee may value and
desire and that the employer is willing and able to offer in exchange
Compensatory damages - (ANSWERS)Monetary damages awarded by the court that
compensate the injured person for losses
Compensatory selection model - (ANSWERS)Model allowing an individual to do
poorly on one test but make up for that poor grade by doing exceptionally well on
other tests
