2.5 key terms

Question 1

Centralised organisation

Answer 1

An organisation in which most decisions are made at head office

Question 2

Decentralised organisation

Answer 2

An organisation that allows staff to make decisions at a local level.

Question 3

Flat structure

Answer 3

An organisation with few layers of hierarchy – presumably because each manager is responsible for many staff

Question 4

Hierarchical structure

Answer 4

An organisation with many layers of management, therefore creating a tall organisational pyramid

Question 5

Organisation chart

Answer 5

A diagram that shows the internal structure of an organisation

Question 6

Communication

Answer 6

The passing of information from one person or organisation to another

Question 7

Barrier to communication

Answer 7

Something that prevents the flow of communication

Question 8

Insufficient communication

Answer 8

Too little communication, which might leave some staff under-informed and demotivated

Question 9

Excessive communication

Answer 9

Too much communication causing overload for staff – a particular problem with email.

Question 10

Flexible hours

Answer 10

A contract between a company and an employee that doesn’t specify how many hours of work will be provided

Question 11

Freelance contract

Answer 11

An agreement over one job between a company and self-employed worker

Question 12

Permanent contract

Answer 12

An agreement between a company and employee that work and income will be provided constantly into the long term future

Question 13

Remote working

Answer 13

Working away from the office, typically from home

Question 14

Temporary contract

Answer 14

An agreement between a company and an employee hat work and income will be provided for a specific time period, say six months.

Question 15

Application form

Answer 15

The series of questions a job-seeker must fill in when trying to get an employer interested in interviewing them

Question 16

CV (curriculum vitae)

Answer 16

Sets out the persons qualifications, experience and any other relevant facts (literally means ‘story of my life’)

Question 17

External recruitment

Answer 17

Appointing from outside the existing staff

Question 18

Internal recruitment

Answer 18

Appointing from within the existing staff

Question 19

Job description

Answer 19

A short account of the main features of the job

Question 20

Person specification

Answer 20

A description of the type of person who would best fit the job: their character, their experience and skills

Question 21

References

Answer 21

People such as teachers or previous bosses who are willing to answer questions about the qualities of a job applicant

Question 22

Formal training

Answer 22

The official training programme, for example a two-year graduate training programme

Question 23

Informal training

Answer 23

The unexpected, unplanned extra advice or demonstrations that come from colleagues or, occasionally, customers

Question 24

Mentor

Answer 24

Someone in the workplace who gives you advice and help, officially or unofficially

Question 25

Ongoing training

Answer 25

Regular, perhaps weekly, training sessions for all staff

Question 26

Performance reviews

Answer 26

Discussion sessions between you and your boss (perhaps every six months) about how well you are doing against the target set for you. (Sometimes called Appraisals)

Question 27

Retention

Answer 27

A calculation of how many staff stay loyal rather then leaving, for example staff staying as a percentage of all staff

Question 28

Self-learning

Answer 28

Teaching yourself, perhaps by thinking why a problem occurred and making sure you learn from your mistakes

Question 29

Target-setting

Answer 29

When you are set goals by a manager and your job is to achieve them

Question 30

Autonomy

Answer 30

The independent power to decide on what you are going to do at work

Question 31

Commission

Answer 31

Being paid a percentage of the value of a sale you have made, for example a ten percent commission

Question 32

Fringe benefits

Answer 32

Rewards you get from work other than pay such as a company phone or car

Question 33

Job enrichment

Answer 33

Being given a range of activities and responsibilities that enable the worker to learn and to grow

Question 34

Job rotation

Answer 34

Having several tasks to do at work to relieve the boredom of doing the same thing all the time.

Question 35

Remuneration

Answer 35

All the financial rewards received from work, whether direct, such as a salary or indirect such as free membership of a sports club