HR Knowledge Center
HR terms, explained simply.
Find clear meanings, full forms and practical workplace examples for the HR terminology you encounter every day.
Browse HR terms
34 terms
Leave & Attendance
PTO — Paid Time Off
Paid Time Off (PTO) lets an employee take approved time away from work while continuing to receive regular pay.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
VTO — Voluntary Time Off
Voluntary Time Off (VTO) is unpaid time away from work that an employer may offer when staffing demand is lower than expected.
Read definition →HR Operations
HR Audit
An HR audit is a structured review of people policies, records, processes and compliance practices.
Read definition →Recruitment
E-Recruitment — Electronic Recruitment
E-recruitment is the use of digital tools and channels to attract, assess and hire candidates.
Read definition →Offboarding
LWD — Last Working Day
Last Working Day (LWD) is the final date on which an employee is expected to work for an organisation.
Read definition →Payroll
CTC — Cost to Company
Cost to Company (CTC) is the total annual cost an employer estimates for employing a person.
Read definition →Payroll
Gross Salary
Gross salary is an employee's earnings before statutory and other deductions are taken from the pay.
Read definition →Payroll
Net Salary
Net salary, often called take-home pay, is the amount an employee receives after deductions from gross salary.
Read definition →Offboarding
FNF — Full and Final Settlement
Full and Final Settlement (FNF) is the process of reconciling all amounts due when an employee leaves an organisation.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
LOP — Loss of Pay
Loss of Pay (LOP) is a salary reduction for time not covered by paid leave or another paid entitlement.
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LWP — Leave Without Pay
Leave Without Pay (LWP) is approved absence for which the employee does not receive regular wages.
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EL — Earned Leave
Earned Leave (EL) is paid leave that employees accumulate over time according to company policy and applicable law.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
CL — Casual Leave
Casual Leave (CL) is short-duration paid leave commonly used for personal or urgent matters.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
SL — Sick Leave
Sick Leave (SL) is leave provided for an employee's illness, injury or medical recovery.
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Comp Off — Compensatory Off
Compensatory Off, or Comp Off, is time off granted in exchange for approved work performed on a weekly off day or holiday.
Read definition →HR Technology
HRMS — Human Resource Management System
A Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is software used to manage employee information and core HR processes.
Read definition →HR Technology
HRIS — Human Resource Information System
A Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is a system for storing and managing employee and workforce information.
Read definition →Recruitment
ATS — Applicant Tracking System
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that helps teams organise and manage the hiring process.
Read definition →Performance
KRA — Key Result Area
A Key Result Area (KRA) is a major area of responsibility in a role that contributes to business outcomes.
Read definition →Performance
KPI — Key Performance Indicator
A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a measurable value used to assess progress toward a defined goal.
Read definition →Recruitment
BGV — Background Verification
Background verification (BGV) is the process of checking information provided by a job candidate before or after hiring.
Read definition →Payroll
Dearness Allowance — DA
Dearness Allowance (DA) is a pay component designed to help offset changes in the cost of living.
Read definition →Recruitment
Intern
An intern is a person who works with an organisation for a limited period to gain practical experience and develop skills.
Read definition →Recruitment
Job Description — JD
A Job Description (JD) outlines a role's purpose, responsibilities, qualifications and reporting relationships.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is leave provided to an eligible employee before and after childbirth, subject to applicable law and company policy.
Read definition →Recruitment
Onboarding
Onboarding is the process of helping a new hire become ready, informed and connected after accepting a role.
Read definition →Performance
Quarterly Review
A quarterly review is a structured conversation about goals, progress, feedback and development held every three months.
Read definition →HR Operations
Retention — Employee Retention
Employee retention is an organisation's ability to keep employees over a defined period.
Read definition →Recruitment
TA — Talent Acquisition
Talent acquisition (TA) is the strategic process of finding, attracting and hiring people with the skills an organisation needs.
Read definition →Leave & Attendance
Unpaid Leave
Unpaid leave is approved time away from work for which regular wages are not paid.
Read definition →HR Operations
Workforce Planning
Workforce planning is the process of assessing the people and skills an organisation needs to meet future business goals.
Read definition →HR Operations
X Theory — Theory X
Theory X is a management theory that assumes employees need close direction and external control to perform work.
Read definition →Payroll
Year to Date — YTD
Year to Date (YTD) is the total amount recorded from the start of a calendar or financial year up to the current date.
Read definition →HR Operations
Zero-Hour Contract
A zero-hour contract is an arrangement in which work is offered as needed without guaranteed minimum working hours.
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