HR Glossary

The HR & Payroll terms every US team should know.

38 plain-English definitions of the HR concepts that matter — from compliance and payroll to engagement and AI-driven hiring. Built for US SMBs.

38 Defined terms

16 Categories A–Z

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Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Software that automates the recruitment workflow — posting jobs, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and tracking candidates through every stage of hiring.

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A 4 terms

B 2 terms

C 6 terms

D 2 terms

E 4 terms

H 1 term

HRIS Integration HRIS integration is the linking of your Human Resource Information System to other business applications it relies on (such as an ATS, payroll, background-check software, LMS, Active Directory) to ensure seamless transfer of data across the stages of the employee lifecycle. In hiring, it means that when an applicant is flagged for hire in the ATS, their information is automatically entered into the HRIS, streamlining recruitment and ensuring compliance with regulations like the FCRA, EEOC, and state-level pay disclosures. Learn more

I 2 terms

J 3 terms

K 1 term

Kanban Recruitment View A visual, board-style layout inside an ATS that organizes candidates as cards across columns representing each hiring stage. Recruiters drag cards between columns to advance candidates and spot bottlenecks in real time. Learn more

O 2 terms

P 3 terms

R 3 terms

S 1 term

Skills-Based Hiring Skills-based hiring is a recruitment approach that evaluates candidates on demonstrated abilities and competencies (the specific, verifiable skills required to perform a job) rather than degrees, job titles, or years of experience. The core question shifts from what a resume signals to what a person can actually do. Learn more

T 2 terms

V 1 term

Video Screening A recruitment method using video technology — live or pre-recorded — to evaluate job candidates before advancing them to formal interviews. Includes synchronous video calls and asynchronous one-way submissions. Learn more

W 1 term

Workflow Automation The use of software to execute a series of tasks, route approvals, send alerts, and move work forward — without manual handoffs. In HR, it powers onboarding, leave, payroll, and performance workflows. Learn more

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