Formal vs Informal
In a formal interview setting, which of the following questions is most appropriate?
A) "Tell me about yourself."
B) "What do you do for fun outside of work?"
C) "Can you describe your experience working in customer service?"
D) "Do you think you’d like to hang out with the team after work?"
C) "Can you describe your experience working in customer service?"
This is a fixed, regular payment made by an employer to an employee.
Salary
This is the process of addressing disputes or disagreements between two or more individuals or groups within an organization to reach a mutually beneficial solution.
Conflict Resolution
In a professional email, this is typically included to give the recipient an idea of the email's content.
Subject
This global fast-food chain is famous for its golden arches and serves burgers, fries, and breakfast items in nearly every country.
McDonald's
When implementing an employee performance evaluation, which of the following would be considered a formal method of assessment?
A) Routine check-ins with a manager about work progress
B) A written annual performance appraisal with set criteria and feedback
C) An informal conversation during lunch about job satisfaction
D) A discussion after a team meeting about how the employee is doing
B) A written annual performance appraisal with set criteria and feedback
This term describes the legally binding agreement between an employee and employer, outlining terms like salary, duties, and expectations.
Contract
This term refers to resolving conflicts by allowing each party to give up something to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Compromise
In an email, when replying to a large group, this feature allows you to send your response to the whole group.
Reply All
Founded in Sweden, this furniture retailer is known for its flat-pack furniture and its huge global stores.
IKEA
Which of the following is most likely to be part of an informal HR practice in a company?
A) An employee handbook with policies and procedures
B) A weekly departmental meeting to review key objectives and targets
C) An HR investigation into a harassment claim
D) Casual "catch-up" conversations between managers and employees
D) Casual "catch-up" conversations between managers and employees
This is a method of evaluating employee performance by comparing it to specific standards or goals over a set period, often annually.
Performance Review
This type of conflict occurs when an individual perceives that they are being treated unfairly or differently based on their gender, age, race, or other protected characteristic.
Discrimination
This should always be included at the end of a professional email to make it clear who you are and how to contact you.
Email Signature
This Swiss company is one of the world’s leading watchmakers, known for its iconic wristwatches and its logo featuring a cross and shield.
Rolex
Which of the following is a key difference between formal and informal communication in HR?
A) Formal communication is always written, while informal communication is always verbal.
B) Formal communication follows official channels and policies, while informal communication is more spontaneous and personal.
C) Informal communication is more legal in nature, while formal communication is less structured.
D) There is no difference between formal and informal communication in HR.
B) Formal communication follows official channels and policies, while informal communication is more spontaneous and personal.
This HR document outlines a job’s requirements, responsibilities, and expectations, and is used to attract the right candidates.
Job Description
A situation where an individual or group’s personal interests or values interfere with their ability to make fair, impartial decisions regarding a conflict.
Conflict of Interest
If you are on vacation or unable to respond to emails for a period of time, it’s best to set up one of these types of emails.
Out of Office Reply
This Japanese multinational technology company is known for its gaming consoles, particularly the PlayStation, and other consumer electronics.
Sony
Which of the following best illustrates the informal aspect of performance management?
A) A manager providing spontaneous, real-time feedback after an employee successfully completes a project.
B) A quarterly performance review with set criteria and written feedback.
C) An official performance improvement plan (PIP) issued to an employee after consistent underperformance.
D) A documented meeting to discuss annual performance goals and progress.
A) A manager providing spontaneous, real-time feedback after an employee successfully completes a project.
This is the process by which employees are provided with the skills and knowledge to perform their current job and prepare for future roles, usually included as part of the onboarding process.
Training/Development
This term refers to a formal process where a neutral third party assists employees in resolving conflicts by facilitating discussion and guiding them toward an agreement.
Mediation
What is a greeting you can use when you don't know the email recipient's name or title? (ex. sending an email to an organization email address where you don't know who will be reading/replying)
To Whom it May Concern
This Chinese e-commerce giant, founded by Jack Ma, is one of the world’s largest online retailers and a key player in cloud computing.
Alibaba