1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Human Resources

Business, Management, Human Resources Dictionary: S

Find business, management and human resources terminology - the terms that begin with S in the glossary.

Glossary Index: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Salary

Salary is a fixed amount of money or compensation paid to an employee by an employer in return for work performed. Salary is paid, most frequently, in a bi-weekly paycheck to an exe,pt or professional employee. In most years, an employee’s salary is paid in 26 even paychecks over the course of the year.

Screening Interview

Screening interviews are used to qualify a candidate before he or she meets with a hiring authority for possible selection. Screening interviews are usually quick, efficient and low cost strategies that result in a short list of qualified candidates. These interviews save time and money by eliminating unqualified candidates via phone or email.

Self-Discipline

You can create a work environment and supervisory interactions which encourage the people you employ to develop and practice self-discipline. When people practice self-discipline, they control their own behavior.

Self Evaluation

Want to encourage more participation in performance evaluation and career planning from employees? Does your company use a traditional performance appraisal system? Or, does your company pursue a forward thinking performance management process? Whatever method your company uses for employee performance development, consider making an employee self evaluation an integral component in the process.

Severance Pay

Severance pay is money that an employer might want to provide for an employee who is leaving their employ. Normal circumstances that might warrant severance pay include layoffs, job elimination, and mutual agreement to part ways for whatever reason. Severance pay usually amounts to a week or two of pay for each year of service to the company. In some instances, a severance package might include extended benefits and outplacement assistance.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment occurs when one employee makes continued, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, to another employee, against his or her wishes.

Sexual Harassment Investigation

When an employee complains of sexual or other harassment in your workplace, take the charge seriously and investigate. Here are the steps in a sexual harassment investigation. See my Definition of Sexual Harassment.

Shift Work

Shift work occurs in a work schedule that utilizes 24 hours in the day and occasionally, 7 days a week to keep an organization operating. Shift work occurs whenever 24 hours a day coverage is necessary or when a 24 hour day optimizes work output and productivity.

Sick Days Policy

Paid sick days are time off from work that an organization voluntarily provides employees as a benefit. The number of paid sick days is often accrued by employees based on years of service to the organization and the level of their position. Other companies, however, keep paid sick days simple - every employee receives the same number of paid sick days.

Signing Bonus

A signing bonus is a lump sum of money that an employer provides a prospective employee. The purpose of the signing bonus is to entice the applicant to sign-on with the employer’s organization. The signing bonus is most often used with executive level positions or to recruit employees with special, hard-to-find skills. The signing bonus is also used, on occasion, to recruit high potential students out of college.

Strategy

Strategies are the broadly defined four or five key approaches the organization will use to accomplish its mission and drive toward the vision.

Succession Planning

Succession planning is a process whereby an organization ensures that employees are recruited and developed to fill each key role within the company. Succession planning ensures you can fill key roles from within your organization.

Swine Flu H1N1 Should Matter to Employers

Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe, disease-free workplace for employees. Consequently, you need to take proactive steps to prevent the potential spread of any contagious disease, including Swine Flu H1N1, in your workplace. Employers also need to address business continuity in the event that a Swine Flu H1N1 outbreak affects the ability of your employees to come to work.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is paid time off from work that an organization voluntarily provides employees as a benefit. Sick leave is used when an employee is temporarily ill; some organizations also allow the use of sick leave to take care of ill family members. The amount of sick leave is often accrued by employees based on years of service to the organization and the level of their position. Other companies, however, keep sick leave simple - every employee receives the same amount of sick leave.
Explore Human Resources
About.com Special Features

10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Credit

Easy steps to take control of your credit card debt. More >

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Human Resources
  4. HR Management: FAQs/Basics
  5. Glossary of Terms
  6. Glossary - S

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.