AQA GCSE Business - Human Resources questions and answers

Centralisation Maintaining control by keeping authority at the senior levels of the organisation. Chain of command The line through the hierarchy that shows who is responsible for whom from top to bottom of an organisation. Contracts of employment A legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of the job for the employer and the employee. Decentralisation Where authority is spread widely through the organisation. Delayering The reorganisation of the organisation's employees so that there are fewer levels of management. Delegation Allocating a task to someone who would not normally be responsible for it. Employment law Rulings that relate to the rights and responsibilities of people who work for a business; they affect the recruitment and selection process and how the business deals with its workers. Flat organisational structure An organisational structure with a wide span of control and few levels of hierarchy (a short chain of command). Fringe benefits Additional 'perks' that are in addition to a wage/salary; they are liable to income tax. Full time Working all the usual hours required of an employee; usually 35 hours or more. Hierarchy The management structure of a business/organisation showing the levels of responsibility. It is often shown as an organisation chart. Induction Training given to a new employee when they start a new job; it provides information about the business, its operation and working practices. Job analysis The process of determining what the job entails, including responsibilities and tasks. Job description A summary of what the job entails, including job title, duties and who they are responsible for/to. Job share A system where two employees choose to share a full time job; they receive the salary and benefits on a pro rata basis according to the proportion of the full time hours that each works. Motivation The reasons people are interested in and committed to their job. Off-the-job training Employees are trained away from their job, at a college, training provider or the business' training centre. On-the-job training Employees learn alongside experienced colleagues while they are doing the job. Organisational structures The way in which the organisation is divided into levels of management, functions and responsibilities. Part time Working only a proportion of the full time hours. Person specification Identifies the requirements of the job holder, including qualifications, experience and skills. Profit sharing A scheme that pays employees an additional amount based on the year's profits. Recruitment The process of hiring a new employee. Salary A method of paying employees for their work; based on a fixed annual amount, normally paid monthly. Selection The process of choosing which applicant to employ. Span of control The number of people for whom a manager is directly responsible. Staff retention Keeping staff once they have been employed. Styles of management The methods used by those in leadership roles to achieve the most effective outcomes from the employees for whom they are responsible. Tall organisational structure An organisational structure with a narrow span of control and many levels of hierarchy (a long chain of command). Training Employees learn the skills and techniques needed to do the job or to prepare for a new role. Wage A method of paying employees for their work based on an hourly, weekly or piece of work basis, usually paid weekly or monthly. Zero-hour contract A contract of employment where the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum hours of work; the employee is not obliged to accept any work that is offered. Commission An amount of money paid to an employee that is based on a percentage of the sales he/she achieved; paid in addition to a basic salary. Add or remove terms