Recruiting
Workplace
Policies
Performance Management
Buzzword Bingo
Payroll and Benefits
100

This document summarizes your experience and is usually reviewed before an interview.

What is a résumé?

100

This all-encompassing document tells employees what is expected at work.

What is an employee handbook?

100

This annual event often inspires nervousness and self-reflection. 

What is a performance review?

100

This phrase means everyone should be working toward the same goal.

What is "Alignment?"

100

This is the amount of your paycheck before taxes and other deductions are taken out. 

What is gross pay?

200

This type of interview asks every candidate the same set of questions.

What is a structured interview?

200

Unlike Vacation, a personal leave of absence is often this. 

What is unpaid?

200

Setting these helps employees know what success looks like.

What are goals or objectives?

200

The polite corporate term for making improvements.

What is "optimization?"

200

This popular benefit helps employees pay for doctors visits, prescriptions, and other medical expenses. 

What is Health Insurance? 

300

Hiring someone because they're your golf buddy instead of the best candidate is an example of this.

What is favoritism (or nepotism)?

300

This is a change or adjustment that helps a qualified employee perform the essential functions of their job. 

What is a reasonable accommodation?

300

This type of feedback focuses on helping employees improve and grow.

What is constructive feedback?

300

This fashionable term means people feel safe speaking up. 

What is "psychological safety?"

300

This document summarizes your earnings, taxes, deductions, and net pay for each pay period. 

What is a pay stub?

400

This process confirms employment history, education, or references before hiring.

What is a background or reference check?

400

This type of leave is protected under certain federal laws for eligible employees.

What is family and medical leave?

400

When expectations aren't being met, HR may recommend one of these, often abbreviated PIP.

What is a Performance Improvement Plan?

400

A three-letter abbreviation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

What is "DEI?"

400

Employees typically have a limited annual opportunity to enroll in or make changes to their benefits during this period. 

What is Open Enrollment?

500

The dreaded phrase candidates hear after interviews: "We'll be..."

What is "We'll be in touch"?

500

HR hopes you read this before degrading your boss on TikTok.

What is the Social Media Policy?

500

This conversation starts with, "Do you have a few minutes to chat?"

What is a coaching conversation? 

500

This phrase often means, "We're changing the process...again."

What is "Continuous Improvement?"

500

This type of retirement plan allows employees to save for retirement through payroll deductions, often with an employer match. 

What is a 401K?