Human Resources professionals face a sea of acronyms and common HR abbreviations. On top of this, the HR industry is full of jargon that can be confusing for both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike. HR abbreviations are used frequently in emails, reports, and meetings, and understanding what they mean is essential to effectively communicate within the HR field.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring common HR abbreviations and their meanings. Whether you’re just starting out in HR or have been in the industry for years, this guide will help you decode the HR lexicon and communicate more effectively with your colleagues, friends and family. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of HR abbreviations together!
Oh, and by the way, if you’re trying to negotiate a whole bunch of legal jargon in a contract or similar, there are AI tools that can help with that. Visit our AI articles for more information.
Common HR abbreviations
A-E: Common HR abbreviations
ACA: Affordable Care Act
ACA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADEA: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
ADP: Automatic Data Processing
AFL-CIO: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
ALJ: Administrative Law Judge
AMP: Administrative Medical
ATS: Applicant Tracking System
CBA: Collective Bargaining Agreement
CCPA: California Consumer Privacy Act
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
COO: Chief Operating Officer
COO: Chief Operating Officer
DOL: Department of Labor
EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity
EEOC: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act
F-J: Common HR abbreviations
FLSA: Fair Labor Standards Act
FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act
FTE: Full-time Equivalent
GINA: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HR: Human Resources
HRIS: Human Resources Information System HRIS
HRO: Human Resources Outsourcing
HSA: Health Savings Account
K-N: Common HR abbreviations
I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification Form
ICF: International Coach Federation
ICF: International Coaching Federation
IRCA: Immigration Reform and Control Act
IRS: Internal Revenue Service
IT: Information Technology
L&D: Learning and Development
LMS: Learning Management System
LOA: Leave of Absence
LTD: Long-Term Disability
MBA: Master of Business Administration
MBO: Management by Objectives
MRO: Medical Review Officer
NDA: Non-Disclosure Agreement – Australia
NLRB: National Labor Relations Board
O-R: Common HR abbreviations
OFCCP: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PEO: Professional Employer Organization
PIP: Performance Improvement Plan
PTO: Paid Time Off
QMHP: Qualified Mental Health Professional
QSEHRA: Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement
RIF: Reduction in Force
ROI: Return on Investment
RPO: Recruitment Process Outsourcing
S-Z: Common HR abbreviations
SBA: Small Business Administration
SBJA: Small Business Jobs Act
SCA: Service Contract Act
SHRM: Society for Human Resource Management
SOW: Statement of Work
SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance
STD: Short-Term Disability
T&E: Travel and Expense
TPA: Third-Party Administrator
UCR: Usual, Customary, and Reasonable
UPT: Unpaid Time Off
USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
VMS: Vendor Management System
VOE: Verification of Employment
W-2: Wage and Tax Statement
W-4: Employee’s Withholding Certificate
WC: Workers’ Compensation
WHD: Wage and Hour Division
WOTC: Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Why do we use abbreviations?
The question must be asked, “Why do we use abbreviations?” Well, they have their reasons. Therefore, they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Abbreviations are used for various reasons, including:
- Saving time: Abbreviations allow us to convey information more quickly and efficiently than using the full word or phrase.
- Simplifying communication: Abbreviations can help simplify communication by condensing longer words or phrases into shorter, more manageable forms.
- Enhancing clarity: In some cases, abbreviations can enhance clarity by providing a more concise or specific way of referring to something. For example, using “HR” instead of “Human Resources” is more direct and to the point.
- Standardising terminology: Abbreviations can help standardize terminology within a particular field or industry, making communication more efficient and precise.
