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How to Speak HR-ese (and a free reference guide!)
If you’ve ever received an email with more acronyms than you knew existed from your HR manager, then you are probably familiar with the sinking feeling of confusion and thinking, “How will I remember all of these made-up words?”
As technology has progressed, simplifying bookkeeping and business processes, we've naturally started using abbreviations to speed up communication. Texting and mobile communication have significantly influenced our language. And if you’re not familiar with the acronyms, it can make it more complex. In human resources, many common phrases, terminologies, and policies are often shortened to concise acronyms to save time.
This post discusses HR and business abbreviations to help reduce confusion and provide clarity. Understanding these acronyms can improve communication and efficiency in the workplace. Use our detailed Quick Guide for an easy reference to get started.
Let’s examine broad business terms that might or might not be familiar, especially to beginners.
COB or EOD
COB (Close Of Business) or EOD (End Of Day) refer to the end of the workday and are typically used as deadlines in emails.
DBA
DBA (Doing Business As) is a shortcut for referencing a business operating under a different name from its registered one.
EQ or EI
EQ (Emotional Quotient) or EI (Emotional Intelligence) is the ability a person has to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions and recognize and understand the influence of others’ emotions.
ERC or ERTC
The ERC (Employee Retention Credit) or the ERTC (Employee Retention Tax Credit) is a refundable tax credit available to businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FAQs
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are commonly asked and, therefore can be easily answered for future reference.
KPIs
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are metrics to assess the performance of an individual or company based on established goals.
PTO
PTO (Paid Time Off) is a common benefit for employees that provides them with compensated time off from work that can be used for various reasons.
WFH
WFH (Work From Home) has become more common since the 2020 pandemic, which popularized the ability to work online.
YTD
YTD (Year To Date) indicates information or metrics tracked from the beginning of the year until the current date.
If you know all of those terms, congratulations, you are doing well. But what about EE, FEIN, or SME? If you aren’t sure what those mean, check out our complete Quick Guide to HR Acronyms.
Now, let’s look at acronyms more specific to the HR world.
ATS
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) tracks applicants for job openings and ensures a smooth transition to the onboarding process. (Syndeo’s preferred ATS is PRISMHIRE.)
EEO, EEOC, and EOE
EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) is the legal requirement that grants all individuals an equal chance for employment and prevents discrimination. EEO violations and complaints are filed with and investigated by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer) status is usually listed in handbooks and job postings.
FCRA
The FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) protects consumers’ credit information and monitors employers’ use of background checks. It also requires consumers to be notified if adverse action is taken based on information from credit reports, insurance applications, or employment screenings.
FLSA
The FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and youth employment standards that affect private sector workers and government workers at all levels — federal, state, and local.
FMLA
The FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) allows employees to take unpaid medical leave — up to 12 weeks — for specific family or medical reasons while protecting their employment status and insurance coverage.
HRIS
HRIS (Human Resources Information System) is an electronic platform that eases the process of managing all the functions related to HR. (Syndeo’s preferred HRIS is called PRISM.)
HRBP
HRBPs (Human Resources Business Partners), while a standard term used across the PEO industry, at Syndeo, they are the people who work with our clients every day to ensure their success.
NLRA and NLRB
NLRA (National Labor Relations Act), also known as the Wagner Act, protects workers’ rights to organize and establish fair practices for labor unions and employers and is enforced by NLRB (National Labor Relations Board).
PDA and PWFA
PDA (Pregnancy Discrimination Act) and PWFA (Pregnant Workers Fair Act) are policies that protect the rights of pregnant workers.
WC
WC (Worker’s Compensation), also known as “Work Comp,” is an abbreviation used to reflect an employee’s status regarding a workplace injury in the HRIS or an email.
If these ones seem common, do you know about EPLI, FUTA/SUTA, the OFCCP, or USERRA? Our popular Quick Guide to HR Acronyms has more HR abbreviations you should know.
In the Benefits area of our work, numerous abbreviations may be unfamiliar, particularly to those who don't use these acronyms frequently.
ACA
ACA (Affordable Care Act) is a federal law that addresses health insurance coverage, including provisions that impact employee benefits, such as employer-provided health insurance.
AD&D
AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage to families in the case of accidental death or severe injury resulting in dismemberment.
COBRA
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) is a federal law that provides employees and their families the right to continue group health coverage for a limited time after a qualifying event causes them to lose coverage.
EOB
EOB (Explanation of Benefits) is a detailed breakdown provided by the insurance provider of the cost, explanations, and coverage of medical bills.
FSA and HSA
FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts) are two forms of tax-advantaged accounts designed to help individuals save money for qualified medical expenses. HSAs are usually associated with HDHPs (High Deductible Health Plans).
HIPAA
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) is federal legislation that protects how private information is used, transferred, and stored. You can read more about it and other HR Laws Every Business Owner Should Know on our blog.
OE
OE (Open Enrollment) is when employees are eligible to sign up for healthcare benefits annually.
PEP
A PEP (Pooled Employer Plan) is a pool of resources from small, unrelated businesses that allows them to source retirement plans with the same buying power as bigger companies.
Not seeing one that you’ve encountered and don’t recognize? Find more abbreviations used in the Benefits world in our comprehensive Quick Guide.
Navigating the landscape of HR terminology can sometimes feel like deciphering a new language, but don’t worry! You can access our alphabetical Quick Guide to aid in your understanding of these abbreviations. By familiarizing yourself with common HR and business acronyms, you can reduce confusion and increase your efficiency and confidence when dealing with HR-related matters.
Whether you're an HR professional, a manager, or an employee, knowing these terms can help you better understand policies, benefits, and procedures, leading to a smoother and more informed work experience. Use our free reference guide to stay on top of the acronyms and enhance your HR vocabulary. Remember, being well-informed is key to navigating the complexities of modern workplace dynamics. Happy learning!
Access our Quick Guide to HR Acronyms now!
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