If you want to be hired, take time off, or be compensated for a workplace injury, you’ll need to know how to use HR acronyms. HR, or human resources, uses acronyms to streamline a complex process. They include acts of labor legislation, management terms, and feedback expectations for employees.
HR Employment Acronyms
An organization only runs as well as its HR department. Keep reading to learn how human resources refers to employees’ benefits and job performance with various HR abbreviations.
- AAR – After Action Review
- AR – Annual Review
- ATS – Applicant Tracking System
- BOD – Board of Directors
- BU – Bargaining Unit
- C&B – Compensation and Benefits
- COLA – Cost of Living Adjustment
- CTO – Compensatory Time Off
- EE – Employee
- EOB – Explanation of Benefits
- ESO – Employee Stock Option
- FSA – Flexible Spending Account
- FT – Full–Time
- FTE – Full–Time Equivalent
- FY – Fiscal Year
- HF - Human Factors
- HMO – Health Maintenance Organization
- HRD – Human Resources Development
- HRLY – Hourly
- HSA – Health Savings Account
- IRA – Individual Retirement Account
- JD – Job Description
- LOA – Leave of Absence
- LTD – Long Term Disability
- LWOP – Leave Without Pay
- LWP – Leave With Pay
- MOP – Measure Of Performance
- MQs – Minimum Qualifications
- NE – Non-Exempt
- OE – Open Enrollment (for health benefits)
- OT – Overtime
- PA – Performance Assessment
- PERT – Project Evaluation and Review Technique
- PIP – Performance Improvement Plan
- PM – Performance Management
- PPM – Policy and Procedures Manual
- PR – Performance Review
- PT – Part Time
- PTO – Paid Time Off
- QR – Quarterly Review
- QWI – Quarterly Workforce Indicators
- RIF – Reduction in Force
- RRF – Recruitment Request Form
- RTW – Return to Work
- SE – Salaried Exempt
- SNE – Salaried Non-Exempt
- TSP – Thrift Savings Plan
- UCI – Unemployment Compensation Insurance
- WC – Workers’ Compensation
- WFH – Work From home
- WTW – Welfare-to-Work
Legal HR Acronyms
When you have a work-related legal issue, you’ll need to know which legislation and bureaus can protect you. Here is a list of legal acronyms you may find in an HR document or presentation.
- AAP – Affirmative Action Plan
- ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution
- ADEA – Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- BLR – Business and Legal Resources
- BLS – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- COBRA – Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
- DOL – Department of Labor
- EAP – Employee Assistance Program
- EEOC – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- EPA – Equal Pay Act
- FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act
- FMLA – Family Medical Leave Act
- HHS – Department of Health & Human Services
- HIRE – Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act
- IRCA – Immigration Reform and Control Act
- IRS – Internal Revenue Service
- LMRA – Labor Management Relations Act
- LMRDA – Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act
- MHPA – Mental Health Parity Act
- NIOSH – National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- NLRB – National Labor Relations Board
- PDA – Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- PPA – Pension Protection Act of 1987
- PPACA – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- USERRA – Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
- VEVRA – Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Act
- WARN – Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
- WRAEA – Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act
Training and Testing Acronyms
Want to improve your skills? There are all kinds of employment education systems that you can try – each with their own acronyms. Check out these HR abbreviations used in training and workplace education programs.
- BST – Basic Skills Trainer
- CAI – Computer Assisted Instruction
- CAT – Computer Aided Testing
- CBI – Computer–Based Instruction
- CBL – Computer Assisted Learning
- CBT – Computer Based Training or Competency–Based Training
- CETA – Cost–Effective Training Analysis
- CMI – Computer Managed Instruction
- DT&E – Developmental Test and Evaluation
- DTP – Detailed Test Plan
- ECR – Electronic Classroom
- ERIC – Educational Resources Information Center
- FAT – Final Acceptance Testing
- FOJT – Formal On–the–Job Training
- FTX – Field Training Exercise
- GTA – Graphical Training Aid
- ICW – Interactive Courseware
- IKPT – Instructor and Key Personnel Training
- IMI – Interactive Multimedia Instruction
- ITP – Individual Training Plan
- ITS – Integrated Training System or Individual Training Standard
- KPI – Key Performance Indicator
- KPM – Key Performance Measures
- LMS – Learning Management System
- NEO – New Employee Orientation
- OJT – On–the–Job Training
- PIP – Programmed Instructional Package
- PLATO – Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations
- POI – Program of Instruction
- PSI – Personalized System of Instruction
- RBM – Rational Behavioral Model
- SAT – Systems Approach to Training
- SIMTECH – Simulation Technology
- SME – Subject Matter Expert
- SQT – Skills Qualification Test
- STRAP – System Training Plan
- TRADE – Training Devices
- T&D – Training and Development
- TEA – Training Effectiveness Analysis
- TEE – Training Effectiveness Evaluation
- TEEP – Training Effectiveness Evaluation Plan
- TEMP – Test and Evaluation Master Plan
- TRD – Technical Requirements Document
- TWI – Training Within Industry
- VETS – Veterans Employment and Training Service
- WBI – Web–based Instruction
- YOYO – You're On Your Own
Management Acronyms
Managers have to motivate their teams, keep the workflow moving, and report to their supervisors in the same workday. There are several processes that can make their jobs easier and more efficient. Some management-related HR acronyms include:
- BEER – Behavior, Effect, Expectation, Results (for feedback for improvement)
- BET – Behavior, Effect, Thanks (for positive feedback)
- CAUSED – Can they do it, do they have a positive Attitude, is it Useful to them, are they Skilled in it, do they have similar Experience, is it Different
- DUMBER – Dull, Unrealistic, Mediocre, Boring, Evaporating, Rote
- EDP – Employee Development Plan
- EI – Employee Involvement
- IDEAL – Identify the problem, Define and represent the problem, Explore possible strategies, Act on the strategies, Look back and evaluate the effects of your actions
- KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid
- MBO – Management by Objectives
- OOO – Out of office
- SMARTER – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely, Exciting, Recorded
- TED – Tell me, Explain to me, Describe to me
Looking for a Job?
If you’d like your resume or application to stand out from your fellow applicants, we’ve got the resources for you. Check out a list of tips for writing a professional resume that will catch the eye of your next employer. If you’re preparing for a job interview, you may want to read these smart questions to ask when interviewing for a job, too. Good luck!