Table of Contents
Business English – Hiring and Firing
This page offers an extensive list of hiring and firing vocabulary. We also list expressions, phrases, and idioms related to human resources.
Hiring and Firing Vocabulary
This is a list of business vocabulary related to hiring, firing, and human resources.
Applicant
- A person who applies for a job.
- Example: We received many applications, but only a few applicants were selected for an interview.
Benefits
- Non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their salaries or wages.
- Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Example: The benefits package includes health insurance and a pension plan.
Constructive Dismissal
- Also called constructive discharge.
- Occurs when employees resign because their employer’s behavior has become so intolerable or heinous or made life so difficult that the employee has no choice but to resign.
Credentials
- A letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer’s identity or competence, presented to employers before being hired.
Demotion
- The reduction of an employee to a lower rank or position.
- Example: Due to restructuring, he faced a demotion.
Fire
- To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).
- Synonyms of fire include: dismiss, make someone redundant, give the sack, give the axe, and sack.
Freelancer
- A person who works on a contract basis for various companies, rather than being a full-time employee at one company.
- Example: He works as a freelancer, offering his design services to multiple clients.
Full-time
- Employment in which the employee works a minimum number of hours defined as such by their employer, typically 35-40 hours per week.
- Example: She works full-time at the company.
Get the Sack
- To be dismissed from employment.
- Synonyms of “get the sack” include: get the chop, get the boot, and get the elbow.
Give Notice
- To announce one’s intent to leave a job; to inform an employer that one is leaving.
- Example: He gave notice yesterday that he’ll leave in two weeks.
Hire
- To employ.
- Example: They hired a new accountant.
Human Resources (HR)
- The department in a company that is responsible for hiring, training, and managing employees.
- Example: If you have any questions about your benefits, contact the HR department.
Interview
- A meeting between an employer and a job candidate to discuss the candidate’s qualifications for a job.
- Example: She has an interview with the company next week.
Internship
- A temporary position that offers on-the-job training and work experience.
- Example: The summer internship helped her gain valuable industry insights.
Job Description
- A detailed description of the job duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
- Example: The job description outlines all the necessary skills and experience required.
Job Offer
- A formal offer of employment from an employer to a potential employee.
- Example: He accepted the job offer and will start next month.
Lay Off
- To dismiss (workers) from employment, e.g., at a time of low business volume, often with a severance package (see below).
Notice Period
- A period of time before which an employee, by contract or by courtesy, must inform his/her employer of his/her intention to leave the current job.
Onboarding
- The process of integrating a new employee into an organization.
- Example: The onboarding process includes training and orientation.
Part-time
- Employment in which the employee works fewer hours than a full-time job.
- Example: He took a part-time job to supplement his income.
Permanent Employment
- Employment that is ongoing and does not have a predetermined end date.
- Example: After the probation period, she was offered permanent employment.
Probation Period
- A trial period during which an employee is assessed to determine their suitability for the job.
- Example: The probation period lasts for three months.
Promotion
- The advancement of an employee to a higher position or rank within the company.
- Example: She received a promotion to senior manager.
Recruiter
- A recruiter is someone engaged in recruitment, or the solicitation of individuals to fill jobs or positions within a corporation.
- Recruiters are also called headhunters.
Redundancy Payment
- A sum of money given by an employer to an employee who has been made redundant.
Reference
- A person who can testify to someone’s character or qualifications.
- Example: Please provide three references with your application.
Resign
- To quit (a job or position).
- Example: I am resigning in protest of the unfair treatment of our employees.
Retire
- To withdraw from one’s occupation, business, or office; stop working.
Salary
- The regular payment an employee receives for their work.
- Example: Her annual salary is very competitive.
Severance Package
- A severance package is pay and benefits an employee receives when he or she leaves employment at a company.
Temporary Employment
- Employment that lasts for a limited period of time.
- Example: The company hired temporary workers for the holiday season.
Unfair Dismissal
- Unfair dismissal is the term used in UK labor law to describe an employer’s action when terminating an employee’s employment contrary to the requirements of the law.
Wages
- The payment for work, typically calculated on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
- Example: The company offers competitive wages for part-time workers.
Additional Vocabulary for Hiring and Firing
To enhance your business English vocabulary, here are some other terms commonly used for firing and hiring:
Other Words for Firing from Work
- Dismiss
- Make redundant
- Give the sack
- Give the axe
- Sack
- Let go
- Terminate
- Lay off
- Discharge
- Remove
Other Words for Hiring Someone
- Employ
- Engage
- Recruit
- Take on
- Appoint
- Sign on
- Bring on board
- Enlist
- Hire
- Contract
Human Resources Phrases and Expressions
Here are some common phrases and expressions used in human resources:
General HR Terms
- At-will employment
- Meaning: Employment which can be terminated at any time by either the employer or the employee without cause.
- Example: Most jobs in the United States are at-will employment.
- Equal opportunity employer
- Meaning: An employer who does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
- Example: Our company prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer.
- Employee engagement
- Meaning: The level of an employee’s commitment and connection to their organization.
- Example: Employee engagement initiatives have improved productivity across the company.
- Work-life balance
- Meaning: The balance that an individual needs between time allocated for work and other aspects of life.
- Example: The company promotes a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours.
- Performance review
- Meaning: A regular evaluation of an employee’s job performance and overall contribution to a company.
- Example: During the performance review, we discussed her achievements and areas for improvement.
Recruitment and Hiring
- Talent acquisition
- Meaning: The process of finding and acquiring skilled human labor for organizational needs.
- Example: Our talent acquisition team is dedicated to finding the best candidates for our open positions.
- Job fair
- Meaning: An event where employers and job seekers meet to discuss employment opportunities.
- Example: We are attending a job fair next month to recruit new graduates.
- Background check
- Meaning: The process of verifying the information provided by a job candidate, including their criminal record, education, and employment history.
- Example: All new hires must undergo a background check before starting work.
Training and Development
- Professional development
- Meaning: Training and education that improves an employee’s skills and knowledge for their current job or future roles.
- Example: The company offers various professional development opportunities to help employees advance their careers.
- On-the-job training
- Meaning: Training provided to employees at their workplace while they are doing the job.
- Example: New hires receive on-the-job training during their first month.
- Succession planning
- Meaning: A strategy for passing on leadership roles and ensuring that the company continues to operate smoothly after employees retire or leave.
- Example: Succession planning is crucial for maintaining leadership continuity within the company.
Employee Relations
- Open-door policy
- Meaning: A policy that allows employees to speak freely with management about any issues or concerns without fear of retaliation.
- Example: Our company has an open-door policy to encourage open communication and feedback.
- Conflict resolution
- Meaning: The process of resolving a dispute or a conflict between two or more parties in the workplace.
- Example: Effective conflict resolution skills are essential for maintaining a positive work environment.
- Employee retention
- Meaning: The ability of an organization to retain its employees and reduce turnover.
- Example: Employee retention strategies include offering competitive salaries and career development opportunities.
Idioms About Hiring and Firing
Idioms add color and expressiveness to language. Here are some idioms related to hiring and firing:
Idioms About Hiring
- Bring someone on board
- Meaning: To hire someone to join a team or company.
- Example: We decided to bring Jane on board because of her extensive experience.
- On the payroll
- Meaning: Employed by a company and receiving a salary.
- Example: As of next week, she’ll be on the payroll.
- Rope someone in
- Meaning: To persuade someone to join or participate in something.
- Example: They roped in a famous designer for their new project.
- Fill the position
- Meaning: To hire someone to take a job that is available.
- Example: The company is looking to fill the position by the end of the month.
Idioms About Firing
- Give someone the boot
- Meaning: To fire someone from their job.
- Example: After repeated warnings, they finally gave him the boot.
- Give someone their marching orders
- Meaning: To dismiss someone from their job.
- Example: After the company restructuring, several employees were given their marching orders.
- Get the axe
- Meaning: To be fired or dismissed from a job.
- Example: Due to budget cuts, many employees got the axe.
- Pink slip
- Meaning: A notice of dismissal from employment.
- Example: He was surprised when he received the pink slip last Friday.
- Cut the dead wood
- Meaning: To remove employees who are not productive or useful.
- Example: The new manager’s first task was to cut the dead wood from the team.
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